Sayings · LT901

Idioms

Classical four-character idiomatic expressions derived from historical masterworks.

1231works

13dynasties

230authors

Han

100 works

202 BCE – 220 CE

  1. Hesitating to Throw at a Rat for Fear of the VaseBan GuWanting to hit the rat but fearing to break the vessel beside it; restrained by side concerns.
  2. The Hare Dead, the Hound Is CookedSima QianOnce the hare is caught, the hound is cooked; discarding or killing helpers after success.
  3. Precarious as Stacked EggsSima QianAs precarious as a stack of eggs; an extremely perilous situation.
  4. Amazing the World with a Single CrySima QianA bird silent for years whose first cry astonishes all; a sudden, remarkable achievement.
  5. Badgers from the Same HillBan GuBadgers of the same hill; people equally bad, birds of a feather.
  6. Putting Oneself to the Test of the LawBan GuTo test the law with one's own conduct; knowingly breaking the law.
  7. Devising Strategy Within the TentSima QianPlanning strategy inside the command tent; directing operations through careful planning.
  8. The Old Steed in the StableCao CaoAn old steed lying by the trough still sets its heart on a thousand li;
  9. Deep Plans and Far-Sighted ThoughtJia YiIn deep planning and far-sighted thought, and in the ways of marching and commanding troops, they were no match for the men of earlier times.
  10. A School of One's OwnSima QianI also wished to explore the boundary between Heaven and humanity, to understand the changes from past to present, and to complete a school of thought of my own.
  11. The World Belongs to AllDai Sheng (comp.)When the Great Way prevailed, the world was shared by all; the worthy and able were chosen, and trust and harmony were cultivated.
  12. Teaching and Learning Grow TogetherDai Sheng (comp.)Knowing one's difficulties, one can then strive to become stronger; hence it is said that teaching and learning advance each other.
  13. Friends unto DeathSima QianIn the end they were reconciled in joy and became friends who would die for each other.
  14. Peerless Among the Nation's TalentsSima QianBut as for Han Xin, he is a talent without equal in the whole nation.
  15. How Can Sparrows Know the Swan's Ambition?Sima QianHow could swallows and sparrows know the ambitions of the swan!
  16. The Boy Can Be TaughtSima QianThe old man went about a li, came back and said: 'The boy can be taught.'
  17. Rolling Up the Realm Like a MatJia YiDuke Xiao of Qin held the strongholds of Mount Xiao and the Hangu Pass and the lands of Yongzhou; ruler and ministers held firm and watched the house of Zhou, intending to roll up the realm like a mat, wrap up all within the universe and bag the four seas, with a heart set on swallowing the eight directions.
  18. Setting All Under Heaven to RightsSima QianDuke Huan of Qi became overlord, assembled the lords nine times and set all under heaven to rights; this was Guan Zhong's planning.
  19. The Whole Banquet Won Over by Sima XiangruSima QianXiangru had no choice but to go, and the whole company was captivated.
  20. The Whole Gathering Astonished by Li ShaojunSima QianThe old man had gone there with his grandfather as a child and recognized the place, and the whole gathering was astonished.
  21. One Destination, a Hundred Lines of ThoughtSima QianAll under heaven arrive at the same place by different roads, and reach one goal through a hundred lines of thought.
  22. A Thousand Gold for the Washerwoman's MealSima QianHan Xin was fishing below the city wall where women were rinsing silk; one saw that he was hungry and fed him, until the rinsing was done some dozens of days later.
  23. Three Obediences and Four Virtues for WomenBan ZhaoA woman has the principle of three obediences and no way of acting on her own: before marriage she follows her father, once married her husband, and when her husband dies her son.
  24. Bowing Lower With Each PromotionSima QianAt the first appointment I bent my back, at the second I bowed, at the third I bent low; I walk along the wall, and no one dares insult me.
  25. Too Many to Be ToldSima QianIf I truly reach them and return to Han, the gifts Han will send Your Majesty will be beyond telling.
  26. Not Destined to Die a Natural DeathSima QianA man like You, I fear, will not die a natural death.
  27. Unable to Grasp the Crux of the MatterSima QianZhang Qian went from the Yuezhi to Daxia, but in the end could not get the crux of the Yuezhi's intentions.
  28. Yan Hui Keeps His Joy in a Mean AlleySima QianA basket of rice, a gourd of water, in a mean alley: others could not bear the hardship, but Hui never changed his joy.
  29. Eight Hundred Lords Gathering Unbidden at MengjinSima QianAt this time, eight hundred lords came to Mengjin without any appointment.
  30. A Sovereign's Worry, His Servant's ShameSima QianI have heard that when the ruler is troubled, his servants are disgraced.
  31. Every Person Provided For, Every Household in PlentySima QianIn sum, strengthening the root and limiting spending is the way to make every person provided for and every household sufficient.
  32. The He Jade Worth Fifteen CitiesSima QianHearing of it, King Zhao of Qin sent a letter to the king of Zhao, offering fifteen cities in exchange for the jade.
  33. The Good Common People of All Under HeavenSima QianLet us join as brothers, so as to protect the good common people of all under heaven.
  34. Putting Others First and Oneself AfterBan ZhaoBe modest and respectful, put others first and yourself after; do not boast of good deeds nor deny your faults.
  35. Restraining the Self to Return to Ritual ProprietySima QianRestrain yourself and return to ritual, and all under heaven will turn to benevolence.
  36. Envoys' Caps and Canopies in an Endless StreamSima QianSo I sent envoys whose caps and canopies were always in sight of one another, their wheel tracks joined on the road, to convey my wishes to the Chanyu.
  37. Deciding Victory a Thousand Miles AwaySima QianDevising strategy within the tent and deciding victory a thousand li away: that was Zhang Liang's achievement.
  38. Haughty at First, Humble AfterwardSima QianSu Qin laughed and asked his sister-in-law: why were you haughty before and so humble now?
  39. The Vanguard Turns Its Weapons AroundSima QianThough King Zhou's troops were many, none had the heart to fight; they wished King Wu would come in quickly. They all turned their weapons and fought to open the way for King Wu.
  40. Great Hardship Borne, Great Merit WonSima QianHe toiled so hard and achieved so much, yet has no title as reward; instead you heed petty slander and want to kill a man of merit.
  41. Wearing Out the Body and Searing the MindSima QianGrieved that his father Gun had been executed for failing in his task, Yu wore out his body and racked his mind; he lived away for thirteen years and did not dare enter his home when he passed it.
  42. Rivals Whose Power Cannot Both StandSima QianQin fears no one more than Chu: if Chu is strong Qin is weak, and if Qin is strong Chu is weak; their power cannot both stand.
  43. A Son of a House Worth a Thousand in GoldSima QianThe proverb says: the son of a house worth a thousand in gold does not die in the marketplace. These are no empty words.
  44. Ascending the Hall and Entering the Inner ChamberSima QianZilu has ascended the hall, but has not yet entered the inner chamber.
  45. Broad in Learning but Short on EssentialsSima QianThe Confucians are broad but lack essentials, laboring much for little result, so their teachings are hard to follow fully.
  46. Too Troubled to Rest on One's MatSima QianI cannot rest on my mat or taste my food; my heart sways like a banner in the wind with nothing to settle on.
  47. More Perilous Than a Stack of EggsSima QianThe King of Qin's state is more perilous than a stack of eggs; with me it will be safe.
  48. Leaving the Old Home for a New PostBan ZhaoSo I left the old and went to the new, my heart heavy with sorrow!
  49. Fan Li Takes a New Name and Sails AwaySima QianHe sailed off in a small boat on the rivers and lakes, changed his name and surname, became Chiyi Zipi in Qi and Lord Zhu in Tao.
  50. Faces Blanch and Expressions ChangeSima QianThat day, of all the officials who watched Fan Ju's audience, there was none whose face did not blanch and change.
  51. Each Serving His Own Lord LoyallySima QianMinisters each serve their own lords. The land has not yet gone to Qin, and Qin sends Zhang Yi: it shows the greatest respect for Your Majesty.
  52. Mourning the Dead and Visiting the Sick of YueSima QianThe King of Yue eats only one dish and wears only one color, mourns the dead and visits the sick, because he means to make use of his people.
  53. Different Roads to the Same DestinationSima QianAll under heaven share one aim through a hundred thoughts, one destination by different roads.
  54. Spitting Out Food and Clutching Wet Hair to Greet the WorthySima QianIn one bath I clutch my wet hair three times, in one meal I spit out my food three times, to rise and receive scholars, still fearing to lose the worthy men of the world.
  55. Obeying Whatever One Is CommandedSima QianWe ask the ministers to enthrone the prince who rightly should succeed; we will obey whatever is commanded.
  56. A Heart Spoken Through the Zither at the BanquetSima QianZhuo Wangsun had a daughter, Wenjun, newly widowed, who loved music; so Xiangru, feigning deference to the magistrate, stirred her heart with his zither.
  57. Cutting Through Mountains and Filling Valleys for the Straight RoadSima QianI saw the walls and watchtowers Meng Tian built for Qin, cutting mountains and filling valleys to open the Straight Road; truly he made light of the people's strength.
  58. A Valiant Heart That Never Rests in Old AgeCao CaoThe old steed in its stall still dreams of a thousand li; the hero in his late years never lets his great heart rest.
  59. The More Troops, the Better for Han XinSima QianThe emperor asked: how many could I command? Xin said: no more than a hundred thousand. And you? He said: for me, the more the better.
  60. Of Many Talents and Many SkillsSima QianI, Dan, am clever and able, of many talents and many skills, and fit to serve the spirits.
  61. Treated Between the Ji and the MengSima QianAnother day Duke Jing detained Confucius and said: 'To honor you as the Ji clan is honored, I cannot.' He treated him at a level between the Ji and the Meng.
  62. The Palace Carriage Goes Out LateSima QianShould the emperor's carriage one day go out late, Kuai meant to use his troops to wipe out the Qi family and Ruyi, King of Zhao, and all their kin.
  63. Every Household Supplied, Every Person ContentSima QianAfter ten years of the new laws, the people of Qin were well pleased: no one picked up what others had dropped, the hills had no bandits, and every household had enough.
  64. Wealthy Merchants and Great TradersSima QianIn this way the wealthy merchants and great traders could make no great profits and would return to the root occupation of farming, and the prices of goods could not leap up.
  65. Holding Office and Keeping to the LawSima QianThese two kinds of men may be allowed to hold office and keep the law, but they are not the ones with whom to discuss what lies beyond the law.
  66. Shrewd Shots That Strike the MarkSima QianShaojun loved magical arts by nature and was good at clever remarks that unexpectedly hit the mark.
  67. Laying Down the Book With a SighSima QianWhenever I read the book of Mencius and come to King Hui of Liang asking how to profit his state, I never fail to put the book down and sigh.
  68. Strengthen Farming and Spend SparinglySima QianThe Mohists are frugal and hard to follow, so their teachings cannot be practiced in every respect; yet their strengthening of the root and economizing must not be discarded.
  69. Bearing Insult and Swallowing ShameBan ZhaoBe modest and respectful, put others first, claim no credit for good deeds and refuse no blame, bear insult and swallow shame, and always be cautious: this is called humility.
  70. An Old Steed's Heart Set on a Thousand LiCao CaoThe old thoroughbred lies by the trough, its heart still set on a thousand li; a man of spirit in his twilight years never loses his great ambition.
  71. Pleasing the Senses of the MomentSima QianNow you abandon the banging of jars and pots for the music of Zheng and Wei, and set aside the zither for the Shao and Yu; why so? Because it pleases the moment and suits the eye, nothing more.
  72. Flushing Red With IndignationSima QianZhai Huang's face changed with anger and he said: 'By all I have seen and heard, in what way do I fall short of Wei Chengzi?'
  73. Floods Embracing Mountains and Mounting the HillsSima QianIn the time of Emperor Yao, the floodwaters rose to the sky, vast and boundless, embracing the mountains and mounting the hills, and the people below were in distress.
  74. Gouged Eyes on the Wu City GateSima QianGouge out my eyes and set them on the east gate of Wu, so that I may watch Yue destroy Wu.
  75. Rejecting Remonstrance and Glossing Over FaultsSima QianReject advice and gloss over faults, be foolish and expect agreement from below, and the state is sure to meet disaster.
  76. Reining In to Ride Slowly at Xiliu CampSima QianBy the general's rule, no one may gallop within the camp. So the emperor held his reins and rode slowly.
  77. Holding Names Accountable to RealitySima QianAs for seeking realities by their names and cross-checking without error, this must not be overlooked.
  78. Clutching Wet Hair and Spitting Out Food to Greet the WorthySima QianYet I clutch my hair three times in one washing and spit out my food three times in one meal, and still I fear losing the worthy men of the world.
  79. Zhuo Wenjun, Newly WidowedSima QianAt that time Zhuo Wangsun had a daughter, Wenjun, newly widowed and fond of music, so Xiangru made a show of honoring the magistrate and used the feeling of his zither to court her.
  80. A Square Tenon for a Round MortiseSima QianA round mortise and a square tenon, I always knew they would clash and not fit.
  81. Transforming of Themselves Through Non-ActionSima QianLi Er held that through non-action the people transform of themselves, and through stillness they become upright of themselves.
  82. Jade from Mount KunlunSima QianNot one of these treasures is produced in Qin, yet Your Majesty delights in them; why is that?
  83. Exchanging Children for Food in a Besieged CitySima QianIn the city they hung up their pots to cook and exchanged children to eat.
  84. Executed in Court Robes at the Eastern MarketSima QianThe emperor ordered Chao Cuo, dressed in his court robes, to be beheaded at the Eastern Market.
  85. Hearing the Way at Dawn, Content to Die at DuskSima QianTo hear the Way at dawn and die at dusk, who could say that is wrong?
  86. Dying Unknown to the WorldSima QianTo die unknown to the world was what the ancients counted shameful.
  87. Steeped in Mud Yet Never BlackenedSima QianPure and white, he could be steeped in black dye yet never be blackened.
  88. A Good Merchant Hides His Goods as if He Had NoneSima QianI have heard that a good merchant stores his goods deep, as if he had none, and a gentleman of full virtue looks as though he were simple.
  89. Smelting Five-Coloured Stones to Mend the SkyAnonymousThen Nüwa smelted stones of five colours to mend the azure sky and cut off the turtle's legs to set up the four corners.
  90. Deciding a Lawsuit in a Few Words, as Zilu CouldSima QianIf anyone can settle a lawsuit with half a word, it is surely You.
  91. Wooing Zhuo Wenjun with the ZitherSima QianZhuo Wangsun had a daughter, Wenjun, newly widowed and fond of music, so Xiangru, while feigning respect for the magistrate, stirred her with the heart of his zither.
  92. Serve When Employed, Withdraw When Set AsideSima QianTo act when employed and to withdraw when set aside: only you and I can do this.
  93. White Bones Bleaching in the Open FieldsCao CaoWhite bones lie exposed in the fields; for a thousand li no cock crows.
  94. A White Fish Leaps into King Wu's BoatSima QianAs King Wu crossed the river, in midstream a white fish leapt into the king's boat; King Wu bent down, took it up and offered it in sacrifice.
  95. Three Years Without a Glance at the GardenSima QianFor three years he never looked at his garden, so intent was he on his studies.
  96. Not Touching So Much as an Autumn HairBan GuSince entering the pass I have not dared to touch so much as an autumn hair; I registered the officials and people and sealed the storehouses to await the general.
  97. Yan Hui's Basket of Rice and Gourd of WaterSima QianA basket of rice, a gourd of water, living in a mean alley: others could not bear the hardship, but Hui never let it change his joy.
  98. Plain Carriage and White Horse of Surrender and MourningBan GuZiying, king of Qin, in a plain carriage with white horses and a cord tied about his neck, sealed the emperor's seals and tallies and surrendered beside the Zhi road.
  99. Leaving the Net Open on One SideSima QianTang went out and saw nets spread on all four sides in the wilds, and a man praying: 'From all under heaven and the four quarters, may everything enter my net.'
  100. Removing Three Sides of Tang's NetSima QianTang said, 'Ah, that would take them all!' and had three sides of the net removed.