Sayings · LT901

Idioms

Classical four-character idiomatic expressions derived from historical masterworks.

1231works

13dynasties

230authors

Ming

28 works

1368–1644

  1. Study Hard and Love to AskWang ShourenFirm in purpose and earnest in practice, diligent in study and fond of asking questions.
  2. Meeting Hardship Calmly: Xu Heng's PovertySong Lian (comp.)When the millet failed he ate husks and greens, yet took it calmly, his recitation ringing out like bells and stones.
  3. Weighing the Times and the Tide: Zhang Juzheng on GoverningZhang JuzhengBut weighing the times and the trend, this is how government must be.
  4. Houses as Bare as Hanging Chime-Stones: Hai Rui's MemorialHai RuiYour Majesty spends ever more ruinously on worship, and homes are as bare as hanging chime-stones.
  5. Turning a Small Question into a Grand EssayAnonymous (Ming–Qing examination term)It gives form to the void through the concrete, making a small topic big and achieving the utmost breadth; marvellous invention.
  6. Perfect in Goodness and Beauty: Jie Jin on Zhong and WangJie JinThat is why the methods of Zhong Yao and Wang Xizhi are perfect in goodness and beauty.
  7. Unlocking the World's Secrets to Accomplish Its TasksJie Jin (comp.)The Changes opens up things and accomplishes affairs, and covers the way of all under heaven; that is all.
  8. The Heart That Feels for Others' SufferingWang ShourenThe heart of compassion is found in all people.
  9. Gripping One's Wrist and SighingZhang PuHow could they have made heroes bow, clasping their wrists at the tomb path and pouring out the grief of men of purpose?
  10. Restringing the Zither to Reform the GovernmentZhang JuzhengCompare it to a zither out of tune: in serious cases its strings must be taken off and restrung before it can be played.
  11. Mending One's Faults and Turning to GoodWang ShourenIf you can wash away your old stains at a stroke, then even if you were once a robber, today nothing stops you from being a gentleman!
  12. Clear-Sighted Wisdom That Keeps the Self WholeWang GenClear-sighted wisdom is innate moral knowing; keeping oneself whole by clear-sighted wisdom is innate knowing and innate ability.
  13. The People Have No Means to LiveHai RuiAcross the realm officials are greedy and generals weak, the people have no means to live, floods and droughts never cease, and banditry grows ever worse.
  14. Idling Away the Years: Wang Yangming's Charge to His StudentsWang ShourenToday's students are neglectful and lazy and idle away the years, achieving nothing at all, simply because they have not set their resolve.
  15. Reaching the Very Summit: Jie Jin on CalligraphyJie JinIn a whole piece, though every character should be good, one or two must reach the very summit.
  16. Too Heavy to Turn Back: Zhang Juzheng's Six ProposalsZhang JuzhengThere is a drift toward slackness and decline, and the beginnings of a weight too heavy to turn back.
  17. Ground to Powder Without Fear: Yu Qian's Ode to LimeYu QianEven if my bones are ground to powder I have no fear; I want only to leave my whiteness in the world.
  18. As If Wading Deep Water and Treading on Ice: the Accession Edict of 1333Song Lian (comp.)I tremble in fear, as if wading through deep water and treading on ice, not knowing how to cross.
  19. Putting Oneself in Another's Place: Gu Xiancheng's Letter to Li SancaiGu XianchengI beg you to put yourself in my place and decide for me.
  20. Suddenly Seeing It Whole: Xie Jin on Mastering CalligraphyJie JinWhen it is already fine, seek to make it finer still, and one day everything suddenly connects.
  21. Rotting Cash Strings and Stale Grain: Hai Rui Holds Up Emperor WenHai RuiThe cash strings rotted and the grain grew stale, the people enjoyed some comfort and plenty, and he was called a worthy ruler after the Three Dynasties.
  22. Trapped Whether Advancing or RetreatingGu XianchengAnd yet I look all around and pace back and forth, trapped whether I advance or retreat, and to this day I do not know what to decide. Why is that?
  23. Wind and Rain Dark as Night at the River CrossingSong Lian (comp.)At dawn on the yisi day they reached the riverbank; wind and rain made all dark as night, and the generals all thought the river could not be crossed, but the emperor would not agree.
  24. As If Entering a Land Without PeopleYi Sun-sinThe great enemy is rampant and none can withstand its spearhead; it drives forward on its victories, as if entering a land without people.
  25. Heroes Are Those Who Read the Times: From Sima Hui to Zhang JuzhengZhang JuzhengThus I know that ordinary people can hardly be engaged on matters beyond the common run; those who understand the times are called outstanding men.
  26. The Waterside Tower Gets the Moonlight FirstAnonymous (anonymous Ming and Qing compilers)The tower near the water gets the moonlight first; flowers and trees facing the sun meet the spring early.
  27. In the Yangtze the Waves Behind Drive On Those AheadAnonymous (anonymous Ming and Qing compilers)In the Yangtze the waves behind drive on those ahead; in the world new people chase the old.
  28. An Inch of Time Is an Inch of GoldAnonymous (anonymous Ming and Qing compilers)An inch of time is an inch of gold; an inch of gold cannot buy an inch of time.

Qing

72 works

1636–1912

  1. Not Bound by a Single PatternGong ZizhenNot confined to one standard or form; flexible and open, especially in choosing talent or creative methods.
  2. A Hundred Flowers BloomLi RuzhenA hundred flowers blooming together; varied artistic styles flourishing freely.
  3. Seize the DayMao ZedongMaking every moment count to reach a goal as quickly as possible.
  4. A Cornered Dog Leaps the WallCao XueqinEven a dog jumps the wall when desperate; a cornered person will do anything.
  5. Seeing the Tip of an Autumn HairShen FuI remember that as a child I could open my eyes wide to face the sun and see the finest autumn down clearly.
  6. A Huge Hulking ThingShen FuOne day I saw two insects fighting among the grass; as I watched with great interest, suddenly a huge hulking creature came on as if uprooting mountains and felling trees: it was a toad.
  7. Tastes like Chewing WaxLi YuShelled and eaten as you go, they have flavor; if someone else shells them and I eat them, not only do they taste like chewing wax, they no longer seem to be crab, melon seeds or water caltrops at all, but something else entirely.
  8. Many Days Lie AheadLiang QichaoThe road ahead is like the sea; many days still lie ahead.
  9. Regarding Death as a HomecomingZhang Tingyu (comp.)I regard death as going home, and now it has truly come.
  10. Pressing Ever Forward Without RetreatSun ZhongshanWherever my will was set, I pressed forward without retreat, growing bolder with every setback and striving again and again; thus I was able to stir up a movement and shape the times.
  11. Neither May Be Neglected for the OtherZeng GuofanWide reading is close to Zixia's 'learning each day what one did not know', and recitation is close to 'not forgetting what one has mastered'; neither may be neglected for the other.
  12. Neither Proud Nor Boastful of His MeritZhao Erxun (comp.)The prince was humble and did not puff himself up. Thanking the emperor, he said: 'It happened in a rush, and there was no one to fight the rebels; I had no choice, and the more I think of it afterwards, the more afraid I am.' Such was his freedom from pride and boasting.
  13. Vanished Without a Trace in the Palace FireZhang Tingyu (comp.)Fire broke out in the palace, and no one knew what became of the emperor.
  14. Ugliness Laid Bare in TimeKangxi EmperorOf the deceitful, whose deeds look well for a time, very many are later exposed in all their ugliness.
  15. Holding to One Point and Discarding a HundredDai ZhenBut they were wrong at the root, holding to one point and discarding a hundred; their intentions were not bad, yet their words could only harm the Way, and so Mencius could not refrain from arguing.
  16. Everything in Its Proper OrderZhang Tingyu (comp.)Though his duties piled up, his planning was orderly.
  17. Where the People's Hearts TurnPuyi (traditionally attributed)Where the people's hearts turn, the mandate of Heaven can be known.
  18. Talent Emerging Generation After GenerationGuangxu EmperorThose who wish to enter the school shall all be permitted to enrol and study, in the hope that talent will emerge generation after generation to help the country through its difficulties.
  19. Orders Obeyed and Prohibitions HeededZhao Erxun (comp.)In his five years in Zhejiang, Li Wei governed with quick intelligence; what he ordered was done and what he forbade stopped.
  20. Bearing Both Toil and BlameZeng JizeIf you do this kind of work for the state, these people will surely abuse you one day; but you must bear both the toil and the blame.
  21. Many Mouths Can Melt MetalSun ZhongshanLittle did I expect that as soon as the revolution succeeded, party members would raise objections, saying my proposals were too idealistic to suit China; many mouths melted metal, the view swept all before it, and even my comrades were all misled.
  22. Youmeng in the Late Minister's RobesKangxi Emperor (comp.)How could those who choose without discernment and seek only Youmeng's outward likeness be fit to discuss poetry?
  23. Not a Patch of Skin Left WholeZhang Tingyu (comp.)Once he was thrown into the imperial prison, Xu Xianchun interrogated him with cruel tortures until not a patch of his skin was whole.
  24. Siding with One's Faction and Attacking DissentersZhang Tingyu (comp.)In the fifth year his ally Xu Dahua, assistant of the Court of Judicature, impeached Lian and Guangdou for siding with their faction and attacking dissenters, grasping power and taking bribes, and Wang Wenyan was ordered arrested and interrogated.
  25. Selfless Loyalty and Devotion to the StateZeng JizeHer Majesty said: 'Zeng Guofan was truly a man of selfless loyalty to the state.'
  26. Open in Every Direction and Every SeasonKang YouweiGreat and small, fine and coarse, open in every direction and every season, there is nowhere it does not reach.
  27. Reviving Fallen States and Restoring Broken LinesDorgon (traditionally attributed)Only then will the court not betray its first intention of upholding justice against the rebels, reviving fallen states and restoring broken lines.
  28. Gathering and Storing Everything of UseJi Yun (Ji Xiaolan), Qianlong Emperor (comp.)Jade-root and cinnabar, red arrow and green fungus, plantain and puffball and the hide of a broken drum: to gather and store them all so that nothing is lacking when needed is the mark of a good physician.
  29. Settling Matters as Swiftly as Flowing WaterZhang Tingyu (comp.)When business began, he settled matters as swiftly as flowing water; the others stared, unable to utter a word, and began to give way.
  30. Thousands Upon Thousands of WordsZeng GuofanAs for the way of being a person, the sages' thousands upon thousands of words come down, by and large, to two: respect and empathy.
  31. Outspoken Words and Searching JudgementsZhang Tingyu (comp.)Guangdou worked in harmony with them, devoting himself to outspoken words and searching judgements and sorting officials by quality, and upright men all relied on him.
  32. Seek the Fault in OneselfZeng GuofanIf he shoots and misses, he does not resent those who beat him; he simply seeks the cause in himself.
  33. Vigorous as the Stamping Steps of the War DanceLu CiyunWhen Wu was flushed with wine, he would always draw his sword and dance, putting on the bold, stamping bearing of the war dance.
  34. Danger Arising at One's ElbowZhang Tingyu (comp.)Should disaster arise at the elbow, it would be cause for grave concern. This is the twenty-second great crime.
  35. Enemy Ramparts Round the Capital: Yu Qian Declines RewardZhang Tingyu (comp.)Enemy forts all around the capital are a disgrace to its ministers; how dare I seek reward?
  36. Teaching Each According to Their GiftsYongzheng EmperorThis was acting according to the person and teaching by measuring his capacity.
  37. Fortify the Walls, Strip the Fields: Qianlong and the Torghut Returnthe Qianlong Emperor (Hongli)Though some spoke of fortifying the walls and stripping the fields, at Ili the walls could not easily be made strong, nor the fields be cleared.
  38. Sturdy Armour and Sharp Weapons: The Reform Edict of 1898Guangxu EmperorCan we truly take up wooden staves and beat strong armour and sharp weapons?
  39. Wholly Public and Free of Self: The Last Qing EdictsZhao Erxun (comp.)So that all may clearly understand the court's intention to accord with Heaven and the people, wholly public and free of self.
  40. All Under Heaven One Family: Hong Xiuquan's HymnHong XiuquanGod the Heavenly Father is shared by all; all under heaven are one family, as handed down from of old.
  41. Granted by Heaven, Embraced by the People: The Torghut Come Homethe Qianlong Emperor (Hongli)But the return of the Torghut was truly granted by Heaven and embraced by the people, something that came about unsought.
  42. Darkness over Heaven and Earth: Zeng Jing's Charge Against the QingYongzheng EmperorHe went so far as to say that for more than eighty years heaven had been dark and earth gloomy, and the sun and moon had no light.
  43. Bending to Preserve the Whole: Zeng Guofan and the Tianjin CaseZeng JizeSo he bent and compromised to keep things whole, and preserved the peace.
  44. Dressed Before Dawn, Dining After Dark: Kangxi's Sixty YearsYongzheng EmperorFor sixty years he dressed before dawn and ate after dark, hoping only that all within the seas would cultivate kindness and courtesy.
  45. Known in Every Home: The Amplified Sacred EdictYongzheng EmperorSo that the multitudes of common people understand it in every family and know it in every household.
  46. Sung and Recited in Every Household: Qianlong's Call for BooksJi Yun (Ji Xiaolan) (comp.)The books that scholars should recite in every household and sing in every home have already been largely gathered.
  47. Wealth and Rank Like Drifting Clouds: Hong Xiuquan's HymnHong XiuquanThe good and upright of old cultivated Heaven's honours; wealth and rank are drifting clouds, nothing to marvel at.
  48. Not a Blade of Grass Left: Zeng Guofan's Proclamation Against the TaipingZeng GuofanBoats large and small, people rich and poor, all are plundered bare, and not an inch of grass is left.
  49. A Petty and Contemptible VillainZhang Tingyu (comp.)Why be held in check by a petty villain, so that everyone high and low fears for his life?
  50. In Accord with Heaven and the People's WillZhao Erxun (comp.)Let all clearly understand that the court acts in accord with Heaven and the people, with impartial and selfless intent.
  51. A Crime That Fills the SkyKang YouweiLater ages blamed the loss of the Six Classics on the Qin burning, so the First Emperor came to bear a crime that fills the sky; they did not know this was Liu Xin's false story.
  52. Strengthen the Trunk, Weaken the BranchesKang YouweiIn truth this was to raise the capital and suppress the provinces, a plan to strengthen the trunk and weaken the branches.
  53. Holding Nothing but an Empty TitleZhang Tingyu (comp.)But Lin'er had risen from banditry and had no great ambition; he did as Futong told him, holding only an empty title.
  54. Ever Present in One's Thoughtsthe Qianlong Emperor (Hongli)Thinking of him, he is in my mind; setting thought aside, he is there; naming him, he is there; praising sincerely, he is there.
  55. Earning Pardon Through MeritZhang Tingyu (comp.)Fight the bandits while under charge, and redeem yourselves by merit.
  56. Unstoppable Wherever It MarchesZhang Tingyu (comp.)His discipline was severe: the army only advanced, never retreated; offenders died even if they were his own kin, so it was unstoppable.
  57. Seize the Throat, Strike the VoidZhang Tingyu (comp.)Seize the throat and strike the void, block the position, and the knot loosens by itself.
  58. Enough Whips to Dam the RiverDorgon (traditionally attributed)With my host of troops, if we threw our whips into the river, it would be enough to stop its flow.
  59. Avenging Wrongs and Wiping Out DisgraceZeng JizeIt is by no means avenging wrongs and wiping out disgrace to destroy a church or kill a foreigner.
  60. Worn Bare from Crown to Heel for OthersTan SitongMozi loved all equally; if rubbing himself bare from crown to heel would benefit the world, he would do it.
  61. Storming Cities and Seizing TerritoryZeng GuofanLooking through books is storming cities and seizing territory; close reading is deep moats and strong ramparts that hold the land won.
  62. Winning Hearts Is the Highest StrategySun ZhongshanIn war, attacking the mind is best and attacking cities is worst; psychological war is best and battle is worst.
  63. Devoted to One's Work, Happy Among CompanionsLiang QichaoAfter one year, examine their punctuation of the classics and their aims; after three, their devotion to study and enjoyment of their fellows.
  64. Snapping Off a Stanza to Suit One's PurposeLiang QichaoMy title was made by taking, out of context, two sayings: 'respect your work and enjoy your companions' from the Book of Rites, and 'be content in your homes and happy in your work' from the Laozi.
  65. No Belief Without EvidenceLu CiyunThe saying goes, 'without evidence there is no belief.' Is there evidence for the story of Yuanyuan? There is.
  66. Well Fed All Day, With a Mind Set on NothingLiang QichaoConfucius said: 'Those who eat their fill all day and set their minds on nothing: how hard it is to do anything with them!'
  67. Sun and Moon Robbed of Their LightYongzheng EmperorThey went so far as to say that 'for more than eighty years, heaven has been dim and earth dark, and the sun and moon have had no light.'
  68. All Under Heaven to the Very Edge of the LandYongzheng EmperorFrom the corners of the sea where the sun rises to all the people under heaven to the edge of the land, none do not know that the great unity lies with our dynasty.
  69. Only Forward, Never BackZhang Tingyu (comp.)His laws were severe: when his army marched it only advanced and never retreated, and those who disobeyed were executed even if they were his sons or sons-in-law, so he was invincible wherever he went.
  70. Killing the Chicken to Scare the MonkeyAnonymousIn the old days, when people trained monkeys and a monkey would not obey, they killed a chicken in front of it.
  71. Killing the Hen to Get the EggsAesop (traditionally attributed)So he killed the hen, and found that there was not a single golden egg inside.
  72. Analysed Strand by Strand, Point by PointKangxi EmperorNow all the methods of calculation have been gathered into books and analysed strand by strand, so that later students find them easy; who knows how hard I laboured over them then!