Sayings · LT901

Idioms

Classical four-character idiomatic expressions derived from historical masterworks.

1231works

13dynasties

230authors

Three Kingdoms

39 works

220–280

  1. Through Boiling Water and FireJi KangBraving any danger; willing to go through fire and water for a cause.
  2. Pooling Wisdom for Greater BenefitZhuge LiangDrawing on collective wisdom and useful suggestions to achieve better results.
  3. Belittling Oneself Without CauseZhuge LiangTo underrate oneself without reason; undue self-deprecation.
  4. Looking Left and RightCao ZhiGlancing left and right; originally self-satisfied, now looking around or hesitating.
  5. Versed in Past and PresentAnonymousWell versed in both ancient and modern matters; broadly learned.
  6. Not Knowing What One Is SayingZhuge LiangOriginally humble; now for speech or writing so muddled one can't tell its point.
  7. Driving Straight InCao CaoDriving deep into enemy territory unopposed; an irresistible advance.
  8. A Time of Life-or-Death CrisisZhuge LiangThe late emperor passed away before his great work was half done; now the realm is split in three and Yi Province is worn out. This is truly a time when our survival hangs in the balance.
  9. Writers Belittle One AnotherCao PiMen of letters belittle one another; it has been so since ancient times.
  10. Bright Moon, Sparse StarsCao CaoThe moon is bright, the stars are few; crows and magpies fly southward.
  11. Light as a Startled SwanCao ZhiHer form: as light as a startled swan, as supple as a swimming dragon.
  12. Committing Crimes and Breaking the LawZhuge LiangIf there are any who do evil and break the law, or who are loyal and good, they should be handed to the proper officials to decide their punishment or reward, so as to show Your Majesty's fair and enlightened rule; there should be no partiality that makes the law differ inside and outside the palace.
  13. Between Elder and Younger BrotherCao PiFu Yi stood to Ban Gu as younger brother to elder, nearly equal, yet Ban Gu belittled him, writing to his brother Chao: 'Wuzhong became an archivist at the Orchid Terrace because he could write, but once he takes up the brush he cannot stop.'
  14. A Poem Composed Within Seven PacesCao ZhiEmperor Wen once ordered the Prince of Dong'e to compose a poem within seven paces, or suffer the full penalty of the law.
  15. Mournful Music of a Perishing StateJi KangThe music of an ordered age is calm and joyful; the music of a perishing state is mournful and brooding.
  16. The Duke of Zhou Pauses His Meal for the WorthyCao CaoMountains never tire of height, seas never tire of depth. The Duke of Zhou spat out his food, and all under heaven gave him their hearts.
  17. All Hearts Under Heaven Turn to HimCao CaoThe Duke of Zhou spat out his food to greet the worthy, and all under heaven gave him their hearts.
  18. Aspirations Spanning the Four SeasCao ZhiA true man's aims embrace the four seas; ten thousand li away is like next door.
  19. Burning Bean Stalks to Boil the BeansCao ZhiThe stalks burn beneath the pot; the beans weep inside it.
  20. Born of One Root, Why Torment Each Other SoCao ZhiWe grew from the same root; why are you so quick to boil me?
  21. Revival Close Enough to Count the DaysZhuge LiangI hope Your Majesty will draw close to them and trust them; then the revival of the house of Han can be awaited with the days counted.
  22. Talents No Bridle Could HoldXiang XiuI lived close to Ji Kang and Lü An, and both of them had talents that no bridle could hold.
  23. Joy Departs and Sorrow ArrivesCao PiA cool breeze rose in the night and the reed pipes played a mournful tune; joy departed and sorrow arrived, and my heart was stricken with grief.
  24. Things Turned Out Against My WishesJi KangThings went against my wishes, and so I have met with this detention.
  25. Longing Like Thirst and Hunger: Ji Kang Misses His BrotherJi KangI think of my good friend, longing as if thirsty, as if hungry.
  26. Catch the Hare and Forget the SnareWang BiThe snare is for the hare; get the hare and forget the snare.
  27. Grasp the Meaning and Forget the WordsWang BiWords are for meaning; get the meaning and forget the words.
  28. Grasp the Meaning and Forget the ImageWang BiThe image exists to preserve the meaning; get the meaning and forget the image.
  29. Catch the Fish and Forget the TrapJi KangI admire that old fisherman who caught the fish and forgot the trap.
  30. Kindred Spirits on a Shared PathCao ZhiThey were truly one in way and aim, their profound plans in perfect accord.
  31. Quaking as if Holding Ice to the HeartRuan JiHis heart is as if it held ice; he trembles with care.
  32. Ever More Careful With Each Passing DayRuan JiHis heart is as if it held ice, trembling with fear; he restrains himself and cultivates his conduct, growing more careful day by day.
  33. The Sun Sinking Toward the Abyss of YuXiang XiuAt that time the sun was sinking toward the Yu Abyss, the cold ice was bleak, and a neighbour was playing the flute, its notes clear and carrying.
  34. Floating Melons and Sinking Plums in Cool WaterCao PiWe floated sweet melons in the clear spring and sank red plums in the cold water.
  35. Literature as a Great Enterprise of Governing the StateCao PiLiterature is a great enterprise in governing the state, a splendid undertaking that never decays.
  36. Liver and Gall as Far Apart as Chu and YueRuan JiSeen from their differences, liver and gall are Chu and Yue; seen from their sameness, the myriad things are one body.
  37. Brilliance upon Brilliance, Prosperity upon ProsperityHe YanDown to the present emperor, light has been added to light and prosperity heaped upon prosperity.
  38. Swift as Wind, Gone Like LightningJi KangSwift as wind and gone like lightning, he treads on shadows and chases flying birds; he sweeps across the central plain, glancing about in splendid style.
  39. Drooping Millet and Ripening Wheat: Xiang Xiu Remembers Old FriendsXiang XiuI sigh with the Drooping Millet that mourned the Zhou, and grieve with the Ripening Wheat over the ruins of Yin.

Jin

61 works

265–420

  1. Too Happy to Miss ShuXi ZuochiThe captive Shu ruler Liu Shan said he was too content to miss home; so happy one forgets one's roots.
  2. Boring Through the Wall to Borrow LightGe Hong (traditionally attributed)Too poor for candles, Kuang Heng bored a hole to read by his neighbor's lamp; studying hard despite poverty.
  3. The Peach Blossom Land Beyond the WorldTao YuanmingFrom Tao Yuanming's hidden Peach Blossom Spring; an idyllic retreat untouched by the troubles of the world.
  4. Beyond Thought and WordsKumarajiva (trans.)Originally Buddhist: beyond conception or description; now, unimaginable or incomprehensible.
  5. Not Seeking Thorough UnderstandingTao YuanmingOriginally reading for the gist without pedantry; now, studying superficially without seeking deep understanding.
  6. From Ancient Times to the PresentPan YueThroughout all ages, from antiquity until now.
  7. Like a Fish Finding WaterChen ShouLike a fish in water; finding a congenial person or an ideal environment.
  8. Never Letting the Book Leave One's HandChen ShouAlways with a book in hand; diligent and devoted to study.
  9. Flourishing Toward ProsperityTao YuanmingPlants thriving; a cause flourishing and prospering.
  10. The One and Only Waytr. KumarajivaOriginally a Buddhist term for the gate of non-duality; now the one and only way.
  11. At a Loss What to DoChen ShouNot knowing what to do; at a complete loss.
  12. Not Sure of Surviving Till EveningLi MiUnsure in the morning of lasting till evening; in dire, precarious straits.
  13. Seeing Someone in a New LightChen ShouViewing someone with fresh eyes after they have markedly improved.
  14. Letting the Tiger Return to the MountainsChen ShouLetting a tiger back into the hills; releasing an enemy and inviting future trouble.
  15. Drawing Cakes to Allay HungerChen ShouDrawing a cake to satisfy hunger; empty names without substance, or consoling oneself with fantasy.
  16. The Blind Men and the ElephantAnonymousBlind men each touching part of an elephant; judging the whole from a partial view.
  17. Asking the Tiger for Its SkinFu LangAsking a tiger for its hide; negotiating with someone to give up their vital interests is futile.
  18. Looking with New EyesChen ShouLü Meng said: "When a scholar has been away for three days, you should look at him with fresh eyes.
  19. Lofty Mountains and Steep RidgesWang XizhiHere are lofty mountains and steep ridges, lush woods and tall bamboo;
  20. Free Beyond the Bounds of FormWang XizhiOthers, entrusting their feelings to what they cherish, let themselves roam free beyond the bounds of bodily form.
  21. Fallen Petals Swirling DownTao YuanmingSuddenly he came upon a peach grove lining both banks for several hundred paces, with no other trees among it; the fragrant grass was fresh and lovely, and fallen petals swirled down in profusion.
  22. Suddenly Opening UpTao YuanmingAfter a few dozen more paces, it suddenly opened up into a broad, bright space.
  23. The Old Ah Meng of WuChen ShouLu Su patted Lü Meng on the back and said: 'I thought my younger brother had only military skill; but now your learning is broad and brilliant, and you are no longer the Ah Meng of Wu.'
  24. Contented and HappyTao YuanmingThe white-haired elders and the children with hair hanging loose all lived at ease and content.
  25. A Gentle, Pleasant BreezeWang XizhiOn this day, the sky was clear and the air fresh, and a gentle breeze blew mild and pleasant.
  26. Clear Sky and Fresh AirWang XizhiOn this day, the sky was clear and the air fresh, and a gentle breeze blew mild and pleasant.
  27. Hearing the Neighbors' Hens and DogsTao YuanmingField paths crossed one another, and hens and dogs could be heard from farm to farm.
  28. Yellowed Hair and Hanging LocksTao YuanmingThe yellow-haired elders and the children with hanging locks were all at ease and content.
  29. Seven Captures and Seven Releases of Meng HuoChang QuZhuge Liang laughed and released him to fight again; seven times released and seven times captured, and still Zhuge Liang would send Meng Huo back.
  30. Seeing Today Right and Yesterday WrongTao YuanmingI truly went astray, but not too far; now I see that today is right and yesterday was wrong.
  31. Homeward Bound, Let Me ReturnTao YuanmingLet me go home! My fields and garden are turning to weeds; why should I not return?
  32. Feelings Shift as Circumstances ChangeWang XizhiWhen they tire of what they pursued, their feelings shift as circumstances change, and deep emotion follows.
  33. Nobody Asks the Way to the FordTao YuanmingAfter that, no one asked the way to the ford.
  34. Letting the Eyes Roam and the Heart Gallop FreeWang XizhiLooking up at the vastness of the universe and down at the abundance of living things, we let our eyes roam and our hearts run free, enough to enjoy every delight of sight and sound; truly it was a joy.
  35. Four Bare Walls of Master Five WillowsTao YuanmingNothing but bare walls all around, keeping out neither wind nor sun.
  36. Rice Basket and Water Gourd Often EmptyTao YuanmingHis coarse short coat was torn and patched, his rice basket and water gourd often empty, yet he was at ease.
  37. Lush Woods and Tall Bamboo at the Orchid PavilionWang XizhiHere are lofty mountains and steep ridges, dense woods and tall bamboo, and clear rushing streams that shine on either side.
  38. Returning to the Uncarved JadeTao YuanmingLong kept in a cage, I have returned to nature again.
  39. Essays Flow from the BrushChen ShouWhen I speak I make arguments, and when I write I produce essays. Just test me face to face; why would I hire someone?
  40. Careless of the Small ProprietiesChen ShouLooking at men of letters past and present, most were careless of the small proprieties and few could stand on their name and integrity.
  41. Living on Another's BreathChen ShouYuan Shao is a lone guest with a hungry army who lives on our breath, like a baby in the palm of a hand: cut off his milk and he will starve at once.
  42. Hold Sincerely to the Middle WayChen ShouThe succession ordained by Heaven rests on you; hold sincerely to the middle, or Heaven's blessings will end for ever.
  43. Rearing a Tiger Only to Invite DisasterChen ShouI said to Lord Cao: 'Handling the general is like keeping a tiger; you must feed it its fill of meat, or it will bite.'
  44. Dry Bones in the Grave: Kong Rong on Yuan ShuChen ShouIs Yuan Gonglu a man who cares for the state and forgets his own house? He is dry bones in a tomb; why give him a thought?
  45. Passing from Being into NonbeingSun ChuoRacing through divine transformations, suddenly I pass out of being into nonbeing.
  46. Scraping the Bone to Draw Out the PoisonChen ShouThe arrowhead was poisoned, and the poison has entered the bone. The arm must be opened and the poison scraped from the bone; only then will the trouble be gone.
  47. Power That Overshadowed the RealmChen ShouFrom Yuan An onward, four generations held the rank of the Three Excellencies, and so their power overshadowed the realm.
  48. Tracing Things from Origin to OutcomeDu YuIts style is leisurely and its meaning far-reaching, so that students may trace things from origin to outcome, follow the branches and leaves and pursue them to the end.
  49. The Young Deserve Our RespectChen ShouConfucius said the young are to be held in awe; with a man like this one can discuss the boundary between Heaven and humanity!
  50. Harmonious Without Mere ConformityYang HuLu Zhi, Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, keeps himself pure and has few desires; he is harmonious without mere conformity.
  51. Collapsing Like Earth, Shattering Like Tiles at YilingChen ShouLu Xun urged his armies to close in from all sides; the enemy collapsed like earth and shattered like tiles.
  52. A Brave Man Cuts Off His Bitten HandSun ChuoIt is like a viper biting the foot: cut it off to save the body.
  53. The Summer Insect Doubts There Is IceSun ChuoI laugh at the summer insect that doubts the ice, and preen my light wings, longing to soar.
  54. The Swordsmith Couple Gan Jiang and Mo YeGan Bao (comp.)Gan Jiang and Mo Ye of Chu made swords for the King of Chu; it took three years, and the angry king wished to kill him.
  55. Opening the Gate to Bow In the RobbersChen ShouThat is like opening the gate and bowing in the robbers, and cannot be called humane.
  56. Bearing Humiliation to Shoulder a Heavy ChargeChen ShouThe state has asked you to defer to me because I have some small merit: I can bear humiliation and carry a heavy charge.
  57. The Crime of Holding a Jade DiscChen ShouThe common man commits no crime; holding a jade disc is his crime.
  58. Tranquil and Free of CravingChen ShouOnly Weichang held both refinement and substance; tranquil and free of craving, with the aspiration of Mount Ji, he was a true gentleman.
  59. Every Stroke of the Blade Finds Empty SpaceSun ChuoEvery stroke of the blade finds empty space, and the eye no longer sees the ox whole.
  60. Bowing Low to Win Over Worthy MenChen ShouShao had an imposing presence and could humble himself before scholars, so many joined him.
  61. Taking Up the Brush and Finishing on the SpotChen ShouZhi took up his brush and finished at once, and it was well worth reading; Taizu was greatly impressed.