Sayings · LT901

Idioms

Classical four-character idiomatic expressions derived from historical masterworks.

1231works

13dynasties

230authors

Tang

67 works

618–907

  1. Pure as Ice, Lustrous as JadeYao ChongThe wife's father has the bearing of clear ice; the son-in-law has the reputation of smooth jade.
  2. As Easily as Splitting BambooFang Xuanling (comp.)Now our army's might is roused; it is like splitting bamboo: after a few joints, the rest all split as they meet the blade.
  3. Humble Palaces and Frugal MealsWei Zheng (comp.)We wish humble palaces and frugal meals to be handed down to later ages.
  4. One Heart and One VirtueWu Zetian (Empress Wu)King Wu of Zhou had ten able ministers of one heart and one virtue; this is why he rose.
  5. Begin Well and End WellWei ZhengGood at youth and good at age, good at the beginning and good at the end.
  6. The Four Seas Boil Like a Cauldron: Liu Yuan's MomentFang Xuanling (comp.)Now the Sima clan is killing its own flesh and blood and the four seas are boiling like a cauldron; to raise our state and restore our heritage, the time is now.
  7. Crumbling Earth and Rotting Fish: The Fall of SuiWei Zheng (comp.)The realm crumbled like earth and rotted like fish; his evil was full and ripe, and all under heaven were his enemies.
  8. Ji Bu's Promise, Worth More than GoldWei ZhengJi Bu never gave a second promise; Hou Ying valued a single word.
  9. A Corpse with One Breath Left: Sima Yi Feigns IllnessFang Xuanling (comp.)Lord Sima is a corpse with a breath left; his body and spirit have parted. There is nothing to worry about.
  10. The Broken Clog Tooth: Xie An Hides His Joy at Fei RiverFang Xuanling (comp.)Crossing the threshold, so great was his joy that he did not notice his clog tooth break. Such was his self-mastery.
  11. Lofty Halls and Carved Walls: Taizong's Warning Against LuxuryLi ShiminAs for Qin's First Emperor and King Mu of Zhou, Emperor Wu of Han and Emperor Ming of Wei, they built lofty halls and carved walls, the height of extravagance.
  12. The Guangling Melody Is Heard No MoreFang Xuanling (comp.)Yuan Xiaoni once asked to learn the Guangling melody from me, and I always held it back. Now the Guangling melody ends today!
  13. Answers Flowing Like a StreamLinghu Defen (comp.)Su Chuo was a gifted speaker and answered as fluently as flowing water.
  14. Too Absorbed to Sleep or EatLi Shimin (Emperor Taizong of Tang)Whenever I think of this with worry, I never fail to forget sleep and food.
  15. A Mind Free of HindranceXuanzang (trans.)The mind has no hindrance; without hindrance there is no fear, and inverted dreams are left far behind.
  16. Overwhelmed by GriefFang Xuanling (comp.)The ministers wailed and clung to the cart, holding the emperor's hands, and the emperor too was overwhelmed with grief.
  17. Quelling Chaos to Rescue the AgeFang Xuanling (comp.)When the virtue of Han had declined, Emperor Wu of Wei quelled the chaos and rescued the age, supporting the Liu house.
  18. Choosing the Good and Following ItWei ZhengWhen three walk together, there is sure to be one who can teach me; I choose their good points and follow them, and correct their bad points in myself.
  19. Ringing Like Metal When Thrown to the GroundFang Xuanling (comp.)Try throwing it on the ground; it will ring like metal and stone.
  20. Beheading Generals and Seizing Their BannersFang Xuanling (comp.)When the troops advanced there was no barrier to stop them; they beheaded generals and seized banners, and tens of thousands lay dead.
  21. Exiles Weeping Together at Xinting PavilionFang Xuanling (comp.)Whenever there was a fine day, the gentlemen who had crossed the river would invite each other to feast at Xinting. Zhou Yi sighed in their midst: 'The scenery is no different, yet wherever we look the rivers have changed.' They all looked at one another and wept.
  22. Sun-Shaped Brow and Dragon CountenanceYao Silian (comp.)He stood seven chi five cun tall, with a sun-shaped brow and dragon countenance, and his hands hung down past his knees.
  23. Dining After Dark and Dressing Before DawnChen HongXuanzong had reigned for many years and grew weary of dining after dark and dressing before dawn; matters of state, great or small, he began to leave to his chief ministers.
  24. A Firm Root Makes a Peaceful StateWei Zheng (comp.)The people are the root of the state; when the root is firm, the state is at peace. If the people have enough, how can the ruler lack!
  25. Driving Six Horses With Rotten ReinsWei ZhengHow fearful it is, like driving six horses with rotten reins!
  26. Worn to Kindling and Bone by MourningWei Zheng (comp.)That year he left office to mourn his mother, and was worn to kindling and bone by grief.
  27. Facing Each Other Like Captives of ChuFang Xuanling (comp.)We should work together for the royal house and recover the divine land; why should we weep at each other like captives of Chu?
  28. Slender and Lovely as a Young PineFang Xuanling (comp.)The little tree is not without a fresh and lovely grace, but I fear it will never see the day it becomes a roof-beam.
  29. Resolve to Set the Realm in Order: Gao Huan's AmbitionLi Baiyao (comp.)From this time he had the resolve to set the realm in order.
  30. Talent Fit to Aid a King: Su Chuo and Yuwen TaiLinghu Defen (comp.)Huida named Su Chuo and praised him as having talent fit to aid a king.
  31. The Living Plunged into Mud and Fire: The Fall of SuiWei Zheng (comp.)Never has the world so fallen apart, never have the living been so plunged into mud and fire, never has a ruler's death and a state's ruin been so extreme.
  32. Sturdy Grass Revealed by a Fierce WindLi Shimin (Emperor Taizong of Tang)A fierce wind reveals the sturdy grass; turmoil reveals the loyal minister.
  33. The Way Seen at a Glance: Wenbo Xuezi and the Plum BlossomSong Jing (traditionally attributed)Half closed, half open, neither silent nor speaking, it is like Wenbo Xuezi, in whom the Way is seen at a glance.
  34. Seeing Red as Green: Wu Zetian's Love SongWu ZetianMy thoughts in turmoil, I see red as green; worn and wasted, I fall apart remembering you.
  35. Hiding Joy to Steady Others: Xie An's Broken ClogFang Xuanling (comp.)He was so delighted that he did not notice the tooth of his clog had broken; such was his mastery of feeling to steady others.
  36. Rats in the Shrine, Foxes in the WallWei Zheng (comp.)Rats of the shrine and foxes of the wall made white into black; by them loyal men were exiled and states brought to peril.
  37. Composure Unchanged: Wang Dun at Wang Kai's BanquetFang Xuanling (comp.)The whole company changed colour, but Wang Dun's composure was unchanged.
  38. Divided in Heart and Purpose: The Fall of King ZhouWu Zetian (Empress Wu)King Zhou of Yin had millions of subjects divided in heart and purpose, which is why he perished.
  39. Ruan Ji Weeping Where the Road EndsFang Xuanling (comp.)At times he drove out alone on a whim, following no path, and where the cart tracks ended he would weep bitterly and turn back.
  40. Establish Yourself and Honour Your Name: Xuanzong on Filial PietyLi LongjiTo establish oneself and walk the Way, making one's name known to later ages to bring glory to one's parents, is the culmination of filial piety.
  41. Ordering Heaven and Earth Like Warp and WeftLi Shimin (Emperor Taizong of Tang)Among rulers who ordered heaven and earth and lords who carried on the foundations, the way of rise and fall shines clear.
  42. Making Fish and Meat of One Another: the Sima Princes at WarFang Xuanling (comp.)Now the Sima fathers, sons and brothers make fish and meat of one another; this is heaven tiring of Jin's virtue and handing it to us.
  43. Orchids and Jade Trees in the Courtyard: Xie Xuan's AnswerFang Xuanling (comp.)It is like orchids and jade trees: one simply wants them to grow in one's own courtyard and by one's own steps.
  44. Every Bush and Tree a Soldier: Fu Jian at ShouyangFang Xuanling (comp.)Looking north at the grass and trees on Mount Bagong, all seemed to be men.
  45. Fleeing Through the Grass, Sleeping in the Dew: the Rout at the Fei RiverFang Xuanling (comp.)Hearing the wind and the cry of cranes, they all thought the imperial army had come; they went through the grass and slept in the dew, and with hunger and cold seven or eight in ten died.
  46. Wasp's Eyes and a Jackal's Voice: Prince Shangchen of ChuFang Xuanling (comp.)A wasp's eyes and a jackal's voice: he is a ruthless man.
  47. Caring for the People as for the Wounded: Wei Zheng's Ten WarningsWei ZhengAt the beginning of Zhenguan, Your Majesty regarded the people as if they were wounded, pitied their toil and loved them as your children.
  48. Bold and Unbridled: the Heroic Style in Poetry and LifeSikong Tu (traditionally attributed)The heavenly wind surges, sea and mountains stretch dark and vast; true strength fills everything, and all creation is at one's side.
  49. Corrupting Custom and Harming Moral Teaching: Yang Hu Judges Wang YanFang Xuanling (comp.)Wang Yifu now occupies high office on the strength of a great name; yet the one who corrupts custom and harms moral teaching will surely be this man.
  50. Bribery Done in the Open: the Reign of Emperor Hui of JinFang Xuanling (comp.)Order was ruined and bribes went about openly; families of power used their rank to override others.
  51. A String of Crimes Full, Evil Ripe for Harvest: the Fall of Emperor Yang of SuiWei Zheng (comp.)The state crumbled like earth and rotted like fish; the string of crimes was full and evil ripe; under all heaven there was none who was not his foe.
  52. Transcending Outward Forms: the Grand and Potent Mode of PoetrySikong Tu (traditionally attributed)Transcend outward forms and you reach the centre of the ring.
  53. Holding to Duty and Dying for Righteousness: the Prince of Langya Refuses the ThroneFang Xuanling (comp.)I am a guilty man; only by holding to my duty and dying for righteousness can I wipe away the shame of the realm.
  54. Donning Armour in Person to Lead the TroopsFang Xuanling (comp.)When the western capital was lost, the emperor led out his troops and camped in the open; he put on armour himself, summoned the soldiers of the realm and fixed a day to advance.
  55. Turning Back the Sun and Moving HeavenWei Zheng (comp.)There were great villains who could turn back the sun and move heaven, and rats in the altar and foxes in the wall who made white into black.
  56. Careless of Wealth and Fond of GivingLinghu Defen (comp.)As a youth he was large-minded and did not attend to the family's livelihood; he made light of wealth and was fond of giving, and so made friends with worthy gentlemen.
  57. The Water That Carries the Boat Can Overturn ItWei ZhengResentment is not dangerous for its size; what is to be feared is the people. The water that carries the boat can overturn it, and this deserves the deepest caution.
  58. Opening with Bells, Closing with ChimesWei Zheng (comp.)Those who established virtue and words, gave teachings and set examples, served as warp and weft of the world, sounded like bells and rang like jade, and spread their fruits and flowers abroad.
  59. A Golden Bowl Without a FlawYao Silian (comp.)My state is like a golden bowl without a single flaw.
  60. Carved Walls and Lofty HallsWei Zheng (comp.)In what is now being built, thrift must be the rule; let no carved walls and lofty halls rise again in our time.
  61. The Scenery Is No Different, but the Land Is LostFang Xuanling (comp.)The scenery is no different, but lift your eyes and the rivers have changed.
  62. A Worn-Out Nag Pining for Its Stable FeedFang Xuanling (comp.)Shuang is not close to Fan and is no match for him in wits; a worn-out nag pines for the beans in its stall, and he will surely not use him.
  63. Kin Slaughtering Their Own Flesh and BloodFang Xuanling (comp.)Now the Sima clan are destroying their own flesh and blood and the four seas are boiling; this is the time to revive our state and restore our heritage.
  64. Lying at Ease on the Eastern MountainFang Xuanling (comp.)You defied the court's commands again and again and lay at ease on the Eastern Mountain; everyone used to say, if Anshi will not come out, what will become of the people?
  65. Lofty Sentiments and Far-Reaching TasteFang Xuanling (comp.)In lofty sentiments and far-reaching taste, I your disciple have long bowed to him; but in chanting and composing, Xu would face north as my pupil.
  66. Petty Thieves Pilfering Like Rats and DogsWei Zheng (comp.)They still called the rebels petty thieves like rats and dogs, not worth worrying about; high and low deceived each other and no one would think about the disorder.
  67. In a Fierce Wind One Knows the Sturdy Grass: Taizong's Poem for Xiao YuLi Shimin (Emperor Taizong of Tang)In a fierce wind one knows the sturdy grass; in times of turmoil one recognises the loyal minister.

Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms

33 works

907–979

  1. Adapting to CircumstancesLiu Xu et al.To adapt flexibly and act as circumstances change.
  2. Seamless Heavenly RobeNiu QiaoA celestial robe with no seams; flawless and without a trace of imperfection.
  3. Opportunity Must Not Be MissedLiu Xu et al. (comp.)A rare opportunity must not be lost; urges prompt action.
  4. Too Painful to Look Back OnLi YuLast night the east wind blew again over the little tower; I cannot bear to look back toward my lost land in the bright moonlight.
  5. Ruffling a Pool of Spring WaterFeng YansiSuddenly the wind rises and ruffles a whole pool of spring water.
  6. As Far Apart as Heaven and the Human WorldLi YuFlowing water, fallen flowers, spring is gone: heaven above and the human world below.
  7. Shen Yue's Waist and Pan Yue's TemplesLi YuOnce I became a captive subject, my waist like Shen's and my temples like Pan's were worn away.
  8. Spring Gone with Flowing Water and Fallen BlossomsLi YuFlowing water, fallen blossoms: spring is gone, as far apart as heaven and the human world.
  9. Carved Balustrades and Jade Steps of a Lost PalaceLi YuThe carved railings and jade steps must still be there; only the rosy faces have changed.
  10. Room for a Single MatLiu Xu (comp.)A woman's understanding does not reach far, and she has offended Your Majesty; yet the consort has long enjoyed your favour. Why begrudge her room for a single mat in the palace? Let her meet death there; how could you bear to let her suffer disgrace outside?
  11. Facing Danger Without Shrinking BackLiu Xu (comp.)To keep the small feelings of kindness and forget the great plans of the state, to feel no fear as disaster comes and to sit at ease on the brink of ruin, failing a subject's duty not to shrink from danger and lacking the ancient worthies' readiness to put duty before kin: this is not what I have been taught.
  12. A Rabble Flocking Together Like CrowsLiu Xu (comp.)Li Guangbi had come through hard fighting in Hebei; his crack troops had all gone to Shuofang, and under his banner was only a rabble of fewer than ten thousand.
  13. Annex the Weak and Strike the BenightedLiu Xu (comp.)Xiao Yu said: 'Annex the weak and strike the benighted; attacking them is best.'
  14. Skin of Ice and Bones of JadeMeng Chang (traditionally attributed)Skin of ice and bones of jade, cool and free of sweat; wind comes to the water palace, and a hidden fragrance warms the air.
  15. Seize the Disordered, Crush the DoomedLiu Xu (comp.)If we now wish to seize the disordered and crush the doomed, we betray the duty of an ally.
  16. Too Troubled to Sit at Ease: Taizong and the TurksLiu Xu (comp.)Resolved to destroy the Xiongnu, I could not sit at ease on my mat, nor taste my food.
  17. Righteousness Above Kinship: From Shi Que to the Xuanwu GateLiu Xu (comp.)To lose a subject's resolve in danger and lack the former worthies' deed of putting righteousness above kin; I have never heard of such a course.
  18. Chaos Born of Hunger: Li Ji and the Liyang GranaryLiu Xu (comp.)The realm is in great chaos, and at bottom it is because of hunger; if we take the granary at Liyang, our cause will succeed.
  19. Guarding One's Integrity Like Jade: The Qian Family PreceptsQian Liu (traditionally attributed)Uphold the law like a mountain, guard yourself like jade, love the people like your children, and root out vermin like enemies.
  20. Furthering the Ruler's Good: Young Li Zhi on the Classic of Filial PietyLiu Xu (comp.)A gentleman serving his superior thinks of full loyalty at court and of mending faults in retirement; he furthers the good in him and corrects the bad.
  21. What Business Is It of Yours? The Ripple on a Spring PondFeng YansiIf the wind ruffles a pond of spring water, what business is it of yours?
  22. Falling at the Twang of the BowstringLiu Xu (comp.)Of the seventy arrows he shot, every one brought a man down at the twang of the string, and the bandits were routed.
  23. Failing to Decide When Decision Is DueLiu Xu (comp.)Fail to decide when you should, and disorder will come back on you.
  24. Upholding the Law Firm as a MountainQian Liu (traditionally attributed)Uphold the law like a mountain, guard your conduct like jade, love the people as your children, root out vermin as an enemy.
  25. Settling Disputes and Relieving DangerQian Liu (traditionally attributed)Relieve disaster and help the needy; remove danger and settle disputes.
  26. An Opportunity That Must Not Be Let SlipLiu Xu (comp.)This is the decisive moment of war; the opportunity must not be lost. It is how Han Xin defeated Qi.
  27. Wrung From the People's Fat and MarrowMeng ChangOur ranks and rewards are never delayed; your salaries and stipends are the people's fat and marrow.
  28. A Pearl Overlooked by the Divers of the Vast SeaLiu Xu (comp.)Confucius said: 'By observing a man's faults you can know his goodness.' You may truly be called a bright pearl of the sea's edge, a lost treasure of the southeast.
  29. Saving the Age and Bringing Peace to the PeopleLiu Xu (comp.)This boy has the bearing of dragon and phoenix and the countenance of heaven and sun; by the age of twenty he will surely save the age and bring peace to the people.
  30. Love the People as One's Own Children: The Qian Family RuleQian Liu (traditionally attributed)Uphold the law like a mountain, keep yourself pure as jade, love the people as your children, and root out the corrupt as you would a foe.
  31. Heartsick and Head-Aching: Taizong's Shame AvengedLiu Xu (comp.)I was never without heartache and headache, resolved to destroy the nomads, unable to sit at ease or taste my food.
  32. Di Renjie and the White Cloud over His Parents' HomeLiu Xu (comp.)My parents live beneath that cloud.
  33. Holding Nothing Back: Wei Zheng's Counsel to TaizongLiu Xu (comp.)Wei Zheng too rejoiced at meeting a ruler who understood him, and wishing to give all his abilities, he held back nothing he knew.