Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 兔死狗烹Pinyin: tù sǐ gǒu pēngLiteral Meaning: After all hares are hunted down, the hunting hounds are boiled and eaten.Figurative Meaning: Once a goal is accomplished, those who were used to achieve it are abandoned or even eliminated. It mainly refers to persecuting loyal and meritorious people. Cultural Background This idiom…
Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 鸟尽弓藏Pinyin: niǎo jìn gōng cángLiteral Meaning: When all birds are gone, the bows are put away.Figurative Meaning: Abandon or betray those who have offered help once the goal is achieved. Historically, it particularly referred to rulers dismissing or even killing meritorious officials after seizing power. Cultural Background This idiom is…
Han Fei explains Daoist paradoxical strategy: expand to shrink, give to take. Weakness and hidden plans defeat the strong.
Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 卧薪尝胆Pinyin: wò xīn cháng dǎnLiteral Meaning: Sleep on firewood and taste bitter gallbladder.Figurative Meaning: Endure hardships and humbly endure setbacks to encourage oneself, strive hard to achieve ambitions and avenge humiliation.
Han Feizi warns rulers: revealing likes/dislikes lets ministers manipulate you. Hide emotions, stay neutral to avoid deception and usurpation.
King Xuan of Qi asked, “Is there a proper way of developing good relations with the neighboring states?”