Sayings · LT901

Idioms

Classical four-character idiomatic expressions derived from historical masterworks.

1231works

13dynasties

230authors

Zhou

100 works

1046–221 BCE

  1. A Bird Startled by the BowLiu Xiang (comp.)A bird once wounded that panics at the twang of a bow; someone easily frightened after a shock.
  2. Holding the Chess Piece UndecidedZuo Qiuming (traditionally attributed)Holding a chess piece without deciding where to place it; indecision.
  3. Cook Ding Carves the OxZhuangzi (traditionally attributed)Cook Ding carving an ox with masterly ease; skill that comes from grasping how things work.
  4. Lofty Songs Find Few to Join InSong YuThe loftier the tune, the fewer who can sing along; refined work appreciated by few.
  5. Half the Effort, Double the ResultMenciusHalf the effort for twice the result; highly efficient through the right method.
  6. Double the Effort, Half the ResultMenciusTwice the effort for half the result; inefficient because of a poor method.
  7. In the Same Boat Crossing TogetherSunziCrossing the river in the same boat; pulling together to overcome shared difficulties.
  8. Sighing Before the Vast OceanZhuangzi (traditionally attributed)Sighing at the vast sea; feeling small before greatness, now also powerless before a task.
  9. Not Plucking a Single HairMenciusUnwilling to pluck even one hair for others; extremely stingy and selfish.
  10. One Day's Sun, Ten Days' ColdMenciusOne day of sun followed by ten of cold; working in fits and starts without perseverance.
  11. Striking a Stone with an EggMozi (Mo Di) (traditionally attributed)Throwing an egg against a stone; overestimating oneself and courting defeat.
  12. Giving Up Eating for Fear of ChokingLu Buwei (comp.)Refusing to eat because one once choked; abandoning something useful over a minor setback.
  13. Ample Room for the BladeZhuangzi (traditionally attributed)The blade moves with room to spare; handling a task with effortless skill.
  14. Preparedness Averts PerilZuo Qiuming (traditionally attributed)Being prepared in advance prevents disaster.
  15. The More One Hides, the More It ShowsZuo Qiuming (traditionally attributed)Trying to cover something up only makes it more conspicuous.
  16. Leaving the Altar to Do the Cook's JobZhuangzi (traditionally attributed)The priest leaving the altar to take over the cook's work; overstepping one's role.
  17. Keep Carving Without StoppingXunzi (Xun Kuang)Carve without stopping, and even metal and stone can be engraved.
  18. At the First DrumrollZuo Qiuming (traditionally attributed)At the first drumroll, courage rises; at the second it flags; by the third it is spent.
  19. Know the Enemy and Know YourselfSun Wu (Sunzi)Hence it is said: know the enemy and know yourself, and in a hundred battles you will never be in peril;
  20. Songs of the Country FolkSong YuThere was a man who sang in Ying; at first he sang Xiali and Baren, and several thousand in the city joined in.
  21. Bright Spring and White SnowSong YuWhen he sang Yangchun and Baixue, those in the city who joined in were no more than a few dozen.
  22. Sought but Not WonAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)Seeking her and not winning her, waking and sleeping I think of her.
  23. Solemn Vows, Sincere and ClearAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)His vows were sworn so earnestly; I never thought he would go back on them.
  24. Quick-Witted and Eager to LearnAnonymous (Confucius's disciples and their students)The Master said: 'He was quick and fond of learning, and not ashamed to ask those below him; that is why he was called Wen.
  25. Teaching Others Without TiringAnonymous (Confucius's disciples and their students)The Master said: 'To store things up in silence, to learn without satiety, to teach others without weariness; what of these do I find hard?
  26. Think Thrice, Then ActAnonymous (Confucius's disciples and their students)Ji Wenzi thought three times before he acted.
  27. Flood-Like Vital EnergyMencius'May I ask what you mean by flood-like vital energy?'
  28. The Meat-Eaters Are ShortsightedZuo Qiuming (traditionally attributed)Gui said: 'The meat-eaters are shortsighted and cannot plan far ahead.
  29. Much Wrongdoing Brings Self-DestructionZuo Qiuming (traditionally attributed)The duke said: 'One who does much that is unjust will surely bring himself down; just wait for it.
  30. A Courtyard Like a MarketplaceLiu Xiang (comp.)As soon as the order was issued, ministers came to remonstrate, and the gate and courtyard were as crowded as a market;
  31. A Fit Match for a GentlemanAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)The modest, lovely maiden is a fine match for a gentleman.
  32. The Mirror for Yin Is Not FarAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)The mirror for Yin is not far: it lies in the age of the sovereigns of Xia!
  33. Pleased and Fully SatisfiedZhuangzi (traditionally attributed)He stood holding his knife, looked all around, lingered there fully satisfied, then wiped the blade clean and put it away.
  34. Stirring the Heart and Strengthening the NatureMenciusThus, when Heaven is about to place a great charge on a person, it first embitters their mind, wearies their sinews and bones, starves their body, leaves them in want and confounds their undertakings, so as to stir their heart, toughen their nature and add to what they could not do before.
  35. Speaking Only with the Eyes in the StreetZuo Qiuming (traditionally attributed)No one in the capital dared to speak; on the roads, people communicated only with their eyes.
  36. Resting in the Highest GoodZengzi (traditionally attributed)The way of great learning lies in making bright virtue shine, in renewing the people, and in resting in the highest good.
  37. The Peach Tree, Young and LovelyAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)The peach tree is young and lovely; bright, bright are its blossoms.
  38. Rising Early and Retiring LateAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)Rising early and retiring late, not a single morning was otherwise.
  39. Masters of the Great WayZhuangzi (traditionally attributed)Now that I see how hard you are to fathom, I know that had I not come to your gate I would have been in danger; I would forever have been laughed at by the masters of the great Way.
  40. Like Cooking a Small FishLaozi (traditionally attributed)Governing a great state is like cooking a small fish.
  41. Great Skill Seems ClumsyLaozi (traditionally attributed)Great straightness seems bent, great skill seems clumsy, great eloquence seems halting.
  42. One Cannot Have BothMenciusIf I cannot have both, I will give up fish and take bear's paw.
  43. Never Imperiled in a Hundred BattlesSun Wu (Sunzi)Hence it is said: know the other and know yourself, and in a hundred battles you will not be imperiled;
  44. A Host of Dragons Without a LeaderKing Wen of Zhou (traditionally attributed)Use of Nines: seeing a host of dragons with none at the head; good fortune.
  45. Ruler and Ranks of One DesireSun Wu (Sunzi)The side whose superiors and subordinates share the same desire will win.
  46. The Best Warfare Defeats the Enemy's PlansSun Wu (Sunzi)Thus the highest form of war is to attack the enemy's plans; next, his alliances; next, his army; and the lowest, his walled cities.
  47. Lingering Notes Circling the RaftersLie Yukou (Liezi) (traditionally attributed)After she left, the lingering notes circled the beams for three days, and those nearby thought she had not gone.
  48. Sons and Grandsons Without EndLieziSons and grandsons will go on without end, while the mountains will grow no higher; why fear they cannot be leveled?
  49. As Careful at the End as at the BeginningLaozi (traditionally attributed)People in their undertakings often fail when they are nearly done. Be as careful at the end as at the beginning, and nothing will fail.
  50. Soaring Straight Up on the WhirlwindZhuangzi (traditionally attributed)When the Peng travels to the southern sea, it strikes the water for three thousand li, beats upon the whirlwind and rises ninety thousand li, and departs on the winds of the sixth month.
  51. Without End and Without LimitLiezi (traditionally attributed)Generation upon generation without end, while the mountains will grow no higher; why worry that they cannot be leveled?
  52. Losing the Sheep Where the Roads ForkLie Yukou (Liezi) (traditionally attributed)On the great road sheep are lost because of the many forks; scholars lose their lives because of the many methods.
  53. A Hen Announcing the DawnAnonymous (records of court scribes of Yu, Xia, Shang and Zhou; traditionally edited by Confucius)The hen does not announce the morning; when the hen announces the morning, the household is ruined.
  54. Mystery Upon Mystery, the Gate of All WondersLaozi (traditionally attributed)Mystery upon mystery: the gateway to all wonders.
  55. Hesitant Undertakings Win No SuccessShang Yang (traditionally attributed)Hesitant action brings no success; hesitant undertakings bring no merit.
  56. Cook Ding Sees No Whole OxZhuangzi (traditionally attributed)When I first began carving oxen, all I saw was the ox; after three years I never saw a whole ox again.
  57. Laughed at by Those Who Know the WayZhuangzi (traditionally attributed)I would long have been laughed at by those of the great Way.
  58. Lofty Mountains, Flowing Water: Boya and ZiqiLie Yukou (Liezi) (traditionally attributed)Wonderful! Towering like Mount Tai! ... Wonderful! Vast like the great rivers!
  59. The Roc's Ten-Thousand-Li JourneyZhuangzi (traditionally attributed)When the roc journeys to the southern sea, it strikes the water for three thousand li and rides the whirlwind ninety thousand li up.
  60. Praise or Blame in a Single WordConfucius (Kongzi) (traditionally attributed)Although the Spring and Autumn Annals expresses praise or blame in a single word, it always needs several sentences to complete what it says.
  61. Three Corrupt Fashions and Ten TransgressionsAnonymous (records of court scribes of Yu, Xia, Shang and Zhou; traditionally edited by Confucius)Of these three fashions and ten faults, if a noble has even one in himself, his house will perish; if a ruler has even one in himself, his state will fall.
  62. Too Fierce to Approach, Like a Prairie FireAnonymous (records of court scribes of Yu, Xia, Shang and Zhou; traditionally edited by Confucius)It is like a fire blazing across the plain: one cannot even approach it, so how could it still be put out?
  63. Who Neither Sow Nor ReapAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)You neither sow nor reap; why do you take three hundred stores of grain?
  64. Too Busy Even to EatAnonymous (records of court scribes of Yu, Xia, Shang and Zhou; traditionally edited by Confucius)From morning until noon and on into the afternoon he had no leisure even to eat, so as to bring harmony to all the people.
  65. Though I Die Nine Times, I Shall Not RegretLiu Xiang (comp.)This is what my heart holds good; though I should die nine times, I would still not regret it!
  66. The Dragon That Soars Too High Will Have RegretsKing Wen of Zhou (traditionally attributed)Top nine: the dragon that soars too high will have regrets.
  67. Replacing the Ox With a SheepMenciusHow could it be abandoned? Exchange it for a sheep!
  68. Laying Out the Capital and Measuring the FieldsDuke of Zhou (traditionally attributed)Only the king founds the state: he distinguishes the directions and fixes the proper positions, lays out the capital and measures the fields, establishes offices and divides their duties, to serve as the standard for the people.
  69. Feeding the Lord a Half-Eaten PeachHan FeiThis man once drove my carriage on a forged order, and once fed me a half-eaten peach.
  70. Brothers Quarrelling Within the WallsAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)Brothers may quarrel within the walls, yet they join to repel insult from outside.
  71. Haughty Before, Humble After: Su Qin's Sister-in-LawLiu Xiang (comp.)Su Qin said: 'Sister, why were you so haughty before and so humble now?'
  72. Transforming Nature Through Deliberate EffortXunzi (Xun Kuang)Thus the sages transformed nature and built up deliberate effort; from that effort ritual and righteousness arose, and from ritual and righteousness laws were made.
  73. The Reckless Courage of a Lone ManZuo Qiuming (traditionally attributed)I do not want the courage of a lone man; I want you to advance together and retreat together.
  74. Ten Years of Building Up the PeopleZuo Qiuming (traditionally attributed)Yue will spend ten years growing its people and wealth and ten years teaching and training them; after twenty years, Wu will be a swamp!
  75. Humble Words and Lavish GiftsLiu Xiang (comp.)Once Chu and Zhao submit, Qi will surely be afraid, and in its fear it will serve Qin with humble words and lavish gifts.
  76. Joining North-South and Linking East-WestXunzi (Xun Kuang)It can join north to south, and it is good at linking east to west.
  77. An Auspicious Day and a Lucky HourLiu Xiang (comp.)On an auspicious day at a lucky hour, reverently we come to delight the high lord.
  78. United in Fury Against a Common FoeAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)We mend our spears and lances; with you I share one foe.
  79. When Misfortune Peaks, Fortune ReturnsKing Wen of Zhou (traditionally attributed)When the time has passed its term, stagnation ends and peace follows.
  80. Alas, Father and Mother, Who Toiled to Raise MeAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)Alas, my father and mother, how you toiled to give me life!
  81. When the Lips Are Gone, the Teeth Feel the ColdLiu Xiang (comp.)I have heard that when the lips are gone, the teeth grow cold.
  82. Clinging to Old Rules Like Mozi Holding a CityMozi (Mo Di) (traditionally attributed)Gongshu Ban's siege engines were exhausted, while Master Mozi's defences had more to spare.
  83. Filling a Seat and Eating for NothingAnonymous (comp.)That gentleman, oh, does not eat for nothing!
  84. Treading on Frost, Knowing Hard Ice Will FollowKing Wen of Zhou (traditionally attributed)Treading on frost: hard ice is coming.
  85. Morning Clouds and Evening Rain on Mount WuSong YuAt dawn I am the morning clouds, at dusk the passing rain, morning after morning, evening after evening, below the Yang terrace.
  86. Stabbing One's Thigh with an Awl to Stay AwakeLiu Xiang (comp.)When he grew sleepy over his books, he took an awl and stabbed his own thigh, and the blood flowed down to his feet.
  87. Their Spirit Spent, Ours at FullZuo Qiuming (traditionally attributed)The first drum rouses courage, the second weakens it, the third exhausts it. Their spirit was spent and ours was full, so we won.
  88. The Fish Has Found Its PlaceAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)Zichan said: It has found its place! It has found its place!
  89. Every Inch Gained Is an Inch KeptLiu Xiang (comp.)Befriend the distant and attack the near; then an inch gained is Your Majesty's inch, and a foot gained is Your Majesty's foot.
  90. Subtle Words Carrying Great PrinciplesConfucius (Kongzi) (traditionally attributed)When Zhongni died his subtle words were cut off; when the seventy disciples passed away the great principles went astray.
  91. Reverently Carrying Out Heaven's PunishmentAnonymous (records of court scribes of Yu, Xia, Shang and Zhou; traditionally edited by Confucius)Now I only reverently carry out Heaven's punishment.
  92. The Mouth Alone Invites DisgraceAnonymous (records of court scribes of Yu, Xia, Shang and Zhou; traditionally edited by Confucius)It is the mouth that brings shame, and armour that brings war.
  93. Clapping Hands in Lively TalkLiu Xiang (comp.)He saw and persuaded the King of Zhao beneath his splendid roof, clapping his hands as he talked.
  94. Putting Oneself in Others' ShoesAnonymous (Confucius's disciples and their students)What you do not want for yourself, do not impose on others.
  95. Scratching One's Head and PacingAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)She hides and does not appear; I scratch my head and pace about.
  96. Advancing and Retreating in Step With the RanksZuo Qiuming (traditionally attributed)I do not want the courage of a single man; I want you to advance together and retreat together.
  97. Without Partiality or FactionAnonymous (records of court scribes of Yu, Xia, Shang and Zhou; traditionally edited by Confucius)Without partiality or faction, the royal way is broad and wide; without faction or partiality, the royal way is level and smooth.
  98. When Will This Sun Perish?Anonymous (records of court scribes of Yu, Xia, Shang and Zhou; traditionally edited by Confucius)They say: 'When will this sun perish? We will perish together with you!'
  99. A Parents' Kindness as Boundless as HeavenAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)I long to repay their kindness, but it is as boundless as vast heaven!
  100. A Single Spark Can Set the Prairie AblazeAnonymous (records of court scribes of Yu, Xia, Shang and Zhou; traditionally edited by Confucius)It is like a fire sweeping across a plain: no one can come near it; could it still be beaten out?