Sayings · LT901

Idioms

Classical four-character idiomatic expressions derived from historical masterworks.

1231works

13dynasties

230authors

Zhou

44 works

1046–221 BCE

  1. The Praise-and-Blame Brush of the Spring and Autumn AnnalsConfucius (Kongzi) (traditionally attributed)When it came to making the Spring and Autumn Annals, he wrote what should be written and cut what should be cut, and disciples like Zixia could not add a single word.
  2. Cliques and Factions Banding TogetherHan FeiThose who band together in cliques and factions to blind the ruler, and twist their words to serve private ends, are sure to be trusted by the powerful.
  3. Morning Clouds and Evening Rain of the Goddess of Mount WuSong YuAt dawn I am the morning cloud, at dusk I am the passing rain.
  4. Every Dawn and Every Dusk Below the Yang TerraceSong YuAt dawn I am the morning cloud, at dusk the passing rain; every dawn and every dusk, below the Yang Terrace.
  5. Binding the Windows Fast Before the RainAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)While the sky is not yet dark with rain, I strip the mulberry roots and bind the door and windows fast.
  6. Sealing One's Lips and Binding One's FeetLiu Xiang (comp.)That is why they will seal their lips and bind their feet, and no one will be willing to come to Qin.
  7. Willows Swaying Softly as the Soldier LeavesAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)When I went away, the willows swayed softly; now I come back, and rain and snow are falling thick.
  8. Evening Light on the Mulberry and ElmAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)My years now lie among the mulberry and elm; like shadow and echo, they cannot be pursued.
  9. Different Roads Leading to the Same DestinationKing Wen of Zhou (traditionally attributed)All under heaven arrive at the same place by different roads, and reach one end through a hundred lines of thought.
  10. A Thousand Li of Fertile PlainsLiu Xiang (comp.)Its fields are rich and its people prosperous; it has ten thousand chariots and a million fighting men, a thousand li of fertile plains and ample stores, and advantageous terrain. This is what is called a storehouse of heaven, the mightiest state under heaven.
  11. Ten Years to Grow, Ten Years to Train: Wu Zixu's WarningZuo Qiuming (traditionally attributed)Yue will grow and gather for ten years and teach and train for ten years; after twenty years, Wu will surely be a marsh!
  12. Hesitant Action Achieves Nothing: Shang Yang Urges ReformShang Yang (traditionally attributed)Hesitant action achieves nothing; doubtful undertakings win no merit.
  13. Climbing Hills and Facing Waters: Song Yu's Autumn FarewellSong YuClimbing hills and facing waters, I see off one going home.
  14. Knowing Is Easy, Doing Is Hard: Fu Yue's Counsel to Wu DingAnonymous (records of court scribes of Yu, Xia, Shang and Zhou; traditionally edited by Confucius)It is not knowing that is hard; it is doing that is hard.
  15. Short Blades Meet: The Hymn to the FallenLiu Xiang (comp.)Gripping halberds of Wu and wearing rhinoceros armour, chariot wheels lock and short blades meet.
  16. Ritual, Righteousness, Integrity and Shame: The Four Cords of the StateGuan Zhong (traditionally attributed)A state has four cords: break one and it tilts, two and it is in danger, three and it is overturned, four and it is destroyed.
  17. Senior by a Single Meal: Fuchai's Last Plea to GoujianZuo Qiuming (traditionally attributed)In courtesy I am ahead of you by a single meal.
  18. Heaped Earth Becomes a Mountain: Xunzi on LearningXunzi (Xun Kuang)Heap up earth into a mountain and wind and rain arise from it; gather water into a pool and dragons are born in it.
  19. Know the Toil of Sowing and Reaping: The Duke of Zhou's WarningAnonymous (records of court scribes of Yu, Xia, Shang and Zhou; traditionally edited by Confucius)First learn the hardship of sowing and reaping; then rest, and so know what the common people depend on.
  20. Endless Melon Vines: the Rise of the Zhou PeopleAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)On and on spread the melon vines. When our people first arose, they lived by the Ju and the Qi.
  21. The Fair One Growing Old: Qu Yuan's Fear of TimeLiu Xiang (comp.)Thinking how the plants and trees fall and fade, I fear that the fair one too will grow old.
  22. A Disease in the Belly and Heart: Wu Zixu Warns Against YueZuo Qiuming (traditionally attributed)Qi and Lu, compared to illness, are a skin rash; how could they cross the Yangtze and the Huai to contest this land with us?
  23. Tongues Worn Out and Ears Gone Deaf: Su Qin's Plea to QinLiu Xiang (comp.)Tongues are worn out and ears deafened, yet no success is seen.
  24. Giving Up Life for Righteousness: Mencius on Fish and Bear's PawMenciusIf I cannot have both, I will give up life and take righteousness.
  25. Talking and Laughing Happily: the Broken Vows of The PeasantAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)In the happy days of childhood we talked and laughed so gaily; your vows were sworn so earnestly, I never thought you would turn against them.
  26. The Modest, Modest Gentleman of the Qian HexagramKing Wen of Zhou (traditionally attributed)The modest, modest gentleman may use this to cross the great river: good fortune.
  27. Greed That Knows No Bounds: the Fall of the Zhi ClanLiu Xiang (comp.)Zhi Bo was killed, his house destroyed and his land divided, and he became the laughing stock of the world: this is greed that knows no bounds.
  28. Driving and Galloping Home in HasteAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)Driving, galloping, I go home to condole with the lord of Wei; I drive my horses on and on until I reach Cao.
  29. Ally with the Distant, Attack the NearLiu Xiang (comp.)Your Majesty would do better to befriend the distant and attack the near; then every inch you gain is Your Majesty's inch, and every foot is Your Majesty's foot.
  30. Distant Peoples Come and Neighbours Live in PeaceZuo Qiuming (traditionally attributed)Learning from the fate of Yi and governing by virtue and law, distant peoples will come and those near will be at peace; that is the fifth benefit.
  31. Drifting with the Waves and Following the CurrentLiu Xiang (comp.)If the world is muddy, why not stir up the mud and raise the waves?
  32. Blue Dye Bluer Than the Indigo PlantXunzi (Xun Kuang)Blue is taken from the indigo plant yet is bluer than the plant; ice is made from water yet is colder than water.
  33. Either Foolish or FalseHan FeiTo be certain without testing is foolishness; to rely on what cannot be made certain is deceit.
  34. Head and Body Parted on the BattlefieldLiu Xiang (comp.)With long swords at their belts and the bows of Qin in hand, though head and body are parted, their hearts do not regret.
  35. Fragrant Herbs and Fair Ones: Qu Yuan's AllegoryLiu Xiang (comp.)Fine birds and fragrant herbs are matched with the loyal and true; foul birds and stinking things are likened to slanderers; the divine one and the fair one stand for the ruler.
  36. A Slow Horse Gets There in Ten DaysXunzi (Xun Kuang)A fine steed cannot cover ten paces in one leap; a slow horse pulling for ten days gets there, its success lying in not stopping.
  37. Ripening Wheat and Drooping Millet: Lament for a Fallen StateJi Zi (traditionally attributed)The wheat is in ear with bristling awns; the grain grows glossy and lush. That crafty boy would not be friends with me!
  38. The Host on the Eastern RoadZuo Qiuming (traditionally attributed)If you spare Zheng and make it host on your eastern road, it will supply your envoys with whatever they lack as they come and go, and you will suffer no harm.
  39. Two of One Mind Can Cut Through MetalKing Wen of Zhou (traditionally attributed)When two people are of one mind, their sharpness can cut through metal; words spoken from one heart are as fragrant as orchids.
  40. Ice and Charcoal Cannot Share One VesselHan FeiIce and charcoal cannot long share one vessel; cold and heat do not come at the same season; contradictory doctrines cannot both stand and bring order.
  41. Right Season, Right Ground, United PeopleMenciusFavourable timing is not as good as favourable ground; favourable ground is not as good as harmony among people.
  42. A Just Cause Finds Many HelpersMenciusOne who has the Way will have many helpers; one who loses the Way will have few.
  43. Going to Every LengthZengzi (traditionally attributed)Therefore the gentleman in everything uses his utmost.
  44. The Great Bell Discarded, Clay Pots Thundering: Qu Yuan Consults the DivinerLiu Xiang (comp.)The world is muddy and unclear: a cicada's wing is thought heavy and a thousand catties light; the great yellow bell is smashed and cast away, while clay pots are beaten till they thunder; slanderers strut on high, and worthy men go unknown.

Han

54 works

202 BCE – 220 CE

  1. Chang'e Flies to the MoonLiu An (comp.)Chang'e swallows the elixir of immortality and flies to the moon; a myth evoking longing and the moon's beauty.
  2. Nüwa Mends the SkyLiu An (comp.)The goddess Nüwa smelts five-colored stones to repair the broken sky; heroic effort to set a collapsing world right.
  3. A Bow's Reflection Mistaken for a SnakeYing ShaoMistaking a bow reflected in a wine cup for a snake; needless fear born of groundless suspicion.
  4. The Cowherd and the Weaver GirlAnonymousLovers separated by the Milky Way who meet once a year; couples living apart who rarely reunite.
  5. Sleeping on Brushwood and Tasting GallSima QianKing Goujian slept on brushwood and tasted gall to remember his humiliation; enduring hardship to prepare for revenge or success.
  6. Bearing Brambles to Beg ForgivenessSima QianGeneral Lian Po carried thorny brambles on his back to apologize; sincerely admitting fault and asking forgiveness.
  7. Returning the Jade Intact to ZhaoSima QianLin Xiangru brought the precious jade back safely to Zhao; returning something intact to its rightful owner.
  8. Calling a Deer a HorseSima QianZhao Gao presented a deer as a horse to test officials' loyalty; deliberately distorting truth and falsehood.
  9. Songs of Chu on All SidesSima QianXiang Yu, besieged, heard Chu songs from every side; surrounded by enemies and utterly isolated.
  10. Fighting with One's Back to the RiverSima QianHan Xin deployed troops with a river behind them, cutting off retreat; a desperate all-or-nothing fight.
  11. Mao Sui Recommends HimselfSima QianMao Sui volunteered to join his lord's mission to Chu; stepping forward to recommend oneself for a task.
  12. Breaking the Cauldrons and Sinking the BoatsSima QianXiang Yu smashed cooking pots and sank his boats after crossing the river; total commitment with no retreat.
  13. Waging War on PaperSima QianZhao Kuo knew military texts but lost disastrously in battle; empty theorizing with no practical ability.
  14. Playing the Lute to a CowMou RongPlaying refined music to a cow; wasting words on an audience that cannot understand or appreciate them.
  15. The Old Frontiersman Loses His HorseLiu An (comp.)An old man's lost horse returns with a fine steed; misfortune may prove a blessing in disguise.
  16. A Promise Worth a Thousand GoldSima QianA single promise is worth a thousand pieces of gold; absolute trustworthiness in keeping one's word.
  17. One Word Weighs as Much as Nine TripodsSima QianWords as weighty as the nine sacred tripods; speech that carries decisive authority.
  18. Living in Peace and Working in ContentmentBan GuLiving in security and working happily at one's trade; a peaceful, well-ordered society.
  19. Shivering Without ColdSima QianTrembling though not cold; gripped by fear or dread.
  20. Agreeing Without Prior ArrangementSima QianActing or speaking in unison without any prior agreement.
  21. The Great Task Is AccomplishedBan GuA great undertaking or important task has finally been completed.
  22. Brimming with Self-SatisfactionSima QianLooking very pleased with oneself; smug and complacent.
  23. The Swift-Footed Arrive FirstSima QianThe quickest to act gets there first and wins the prize.
  24. One Hair from Nine OxenSima QianA negligible fraction of a vast amount; a drop in the ocean.
  25. Seen So Often It Is Nothing NewSima QianSo common that it is no longer surprising.
  26. All Previous Effort WastedSima QianAll previous efforts and achievements come to nothing.
  27. Lord Ye Loves DragonsLiu XiangLord Ye professes to love dragons but flees a real one; professed love that is not genuine.
  28. Seek Truth from FactsBan GuTo base conclusions on facts and seek the truth from reality.
  29. First to Bear the BruntBan GuTo be the first to face an attack or bear the brunt of a disaster.
  30. Strike First to Gain ControlBan GuStrike first to gain the upper hand.
  31. Passing Fish Eyes Off as PearlsWei BoyangPassing off fish eyes as pearls; palming off fakes as genuine.
  32. Unbending after a Hundred SetbacksCai YongNever yielding however many setbacks one suffers; describes indomitable will.
  33. Clinging to the Broken and IncompleteLiu XinClinging to fragmentary old texts; stubbornly conservative and resistant to change.
  34. Without Learning or SkillBan GuHaving neither learning nor skill; ignorant and incompetent.
  35. Not Worth MentioningSima QianNot worth mentioning; often a modest reply to thanks or praise.
  36. Issuing Orders at Dawn, Changing Them at DuskChao CuoAn order given at dawn is changed by dusk; constantly shifting policies.
  37. Honest Advice Grates on the EarSima QianSincere advice is unpleasant to hear but good for one's conduct; urges accepting criticism.
  38. Weightier than Mount TaiSima QianHeavier than Mount Tai; of the utmost significance, especially a death for a worthy cause.
  39. Standing Out from the CrowdBan GuOf outstanding talent and virtue, far above the ordinary.
  40. Holding One Front AloneSima QianCapable of taking sole charge of one area or front.
  41. Mending One's WaysSima QianCorrecting one's mistakes and making a fresh start.
  42. Misfortunes Never Come SinglyLiu XiangMisfortunes tend to come one after another rather than alone.
  43. Many Littles Make a LotBan GuSmall amounts steadily accumulated add up to a great deal.
  44. Nothing but Four Bare WallsSima QianA home with nothing but four bare walls; utter poverty.
  45. Forgetting Righteousness at the Sight of GainBan GuTo abandon principle and loyalty at the sight of personal gain.
  46. Overcorrecting a WrongBan GuTo overcorrect an error so that one swings to the opposite extreme.
  47. Raising Bamboo Poles in RevoltJia YiTo raise bamboo poles as banners and rise in revolt; a popular uprising.
  48. Seeking a Steed by Its PictureBan GuLooking for a fine horse by a picture; rigidly following rules, or searching by clues.
  49. Birds Gone, the Bow Is Put AwaySima QianOnce the birds are shot, the bow is stored away; discarding loyal helpers after success.
  50. The Overturned Cart Ahead as a WarningBan GuThe cart ahead overturned serves as a warning; learning from others' past failures.
  51. The Spent Arrow of a Strong CrossbowSima QianAn arrow from a mighty crossbow at the end of its flight; once-great strength now spent.
  52. Little Seen, Much Marveled AtMou RongThose who have seen little marvel at the ordinary; mocks a lack of experience.
  53. A Rat Peering Both WaysSima QianLike a rat poking its head out and looking both ways; wavering and indecisive.
  54. Dead Ashes Flare Up AgainSima QianDead ashes rekindling; a fallen force regaining power, or a suppressed evil reviving.