Sayings · LT901

Idioms

Classical four-character idiomatic expressions derived from historical masterworks.

1231works

13dynasties

230authors

Zhou

100 works

1046–221 BCE

  1. Jingwei Fills the SeaAnonymousThe bird Jingwei carries twigs and pebbles to fill the sea; unshakable determination against overwhelming odds.
  2. Kuafu Chases the SunAnonymousThe giant Kuafu races the sun until he dies of thirst; boundless ambition, or overreaching one's strength.
  3. The Foolish Old Man Moves the MountainsLie Yukou (Liezi) (traditionally attributed)An old man digs away at two mountains, undeterred by mockery; perseverance can overcome any obstacle.
  4. Yu the Great Tames the FloodMenciusYu the Great channels the floods, passing his own door three times without entering; selfless public service.
  5. The Highest Good Is Like WaterLaoziSupreme goodness is like water, nourishing all things without contending; humble, selfless virtue.
  6. The Way Follows NatureLaoziThe Dao takes what is natural as its model; follow things as they are rather than forcing them.
  7. Governing by Non-ActionConfuciusRuling well without forceful intervention, through virtue and by letting things take their natural course.
  8. Great Virtue Carries All ThingsKing Wen of Zhou (traditionally attributed)Like the earth, a noble person bears all things with generous virtue; a classic motto of moral cultivation.
  9. Covering One's Ears to Steal a BellLu Buwei (comp.)A thief covers his own ears while stealing a bell; fooling oneself while fooling no one else.
  10. The Doctrine of the MeanConfuciusThe Confucian way of balance, avoiding excess and deficiency; today also a moderate, compromising attitude.
  11. Investigating Things to Extend KnowledgeZengzi (traditionally attributed)Probing the principles of things to attain true knowledge; the first step of Confucian self-cultivation.
  12. Sincere Intentions, Rectified HeartZengzi (traditionally attributed)Making one's intentions sincere and one's heart upright; core steps of Confucian self-cultivation.
  13. Striving Ceaselessly for Self-ImprovementKing Wen of Zhou (traditionally attributed)Like heaven's tireless motion, the noble person strives to improve himself without ever slackening.
  14. The Fox Borrows the Tiger's MightLiu Xiang (comp.)A fox walks ahead of a tiger so beasts flee; bullying others by borrowing someone else's power.
  15. Hair Tied to the Beam, Awl to the ThighLiu Xiang (comp.)Scholars tied their hair to a beam or jabbed their thighs to stay awake; studying with extreme diligence.
  16. The Frog at the Bottom of the WellZhuangzi (traditionally attributed)A frog in a well thinks the sky is as small as the well's mouth; a person of narrow vision.
  17. Pulling Up Seedlings to Help Them GrowMenciusA farmer tugs his seedlings upward to speed growth and kills them; haste that defies nature ruins everything.
  18. Tossing and TurningAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)Tossing and turning in bed; unable to sleep because of longing or worry.
  19. A Graceful and Virtuous MaidenAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)A lovely, gentle and virtuous young woman; an admirable lady worthy of courtship.
  20. The Spear and the Shield ContradictHan FeiziA man boasts his spear pierces anything and his shield stops everything; self-contradiction in words or deeds.
  21. The One I Long ForAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)That person of whom I speak; the beloved one longed for but out of reach.
  22. Reviewing the Old to Learn the NewConfuciusRevisiting what one has learned yields fresh understanding; also, learning from the past to grasp the present.
  23. Drawing Legs on a SnakeLiu Xiang (comp.)Adding legs to a drawn snake loses the wager; doing something superfluous that ruins the result.
  24. Learning Enough to Fill Five CartsZhuangzi (traditionally attributed)Having read enough books to fill five carts; exceptionally erudite and widely read.
  25. A Hundred Shots, a Hundred HitsLiu Xiang (comp.)Yang Youji hit a willow leaf from a hundred paces every time; perfect accuracy, or unfailing judgment.
  26. Giving Up HalfwayZisi (traditionally attributed)Stopping halfway along the road; abandoning a task before it is finished.
  27. Not Ashamed to Ask Those BelowConfuciusUnashamed to learn from those of lower status or learning; humble eagerness to learn.
  28. The Uninvited GuestKing Wen of Zhou (traditionally attributed)A guest who arrives without being invited.
  29. Self-Evident Without WordsMenciusUnderstood without being said; self-evident.
  30. Flying Away Without WingsGuan Zhong (traditionally attributed)Vanishing as if on invisible wings; something suddenly missing, or news spreading rapidly.
  31. Learning to Walk in HandanZhuangzi (traditionally attributed)A youth imitating Handan's gait forgets how to walk; blind imitation that loses one's own abilities.
  32. Marking the Boat to Find the SwordLu Buwei (comp.)Sticking rigidly to old methods without seeing that circumstances have changed.
  33. Standing Out from One's KindMenciusFar surpassing one's peers in character or ability; outstanding.
  34. Braving Life and DeathLaoziRepeatedly risking one's life; braving mortal danger without regard for oneself.
  35. Great Vessels Take Long to MakeLaoziGreat talents mature slowly; people of great ability often achieve success late.
  36. Many Talents and Many ArtsAnonymousGifted in many fields; versatile and accomplished.
  37. Supporting the Old, Leading the YoungLiu Xiang (comp.)Helping the elderly and leading the children; whole families turning out together.
  38. Buying the Casket, Returning the PearlHan FeiValuing outward packaging over real substance; making a foolish choice.
  39. Success Achieved, Fame WonMozi (Mo Di) (traditionally attributed)Having achieved one's goals and won renown.
  40. Driving North to Reach the SouthLiu Xiang (comp.)Acting in a way directly opposed to one's goal, so effort leads further away.
  41. Failing for Want of One BasketAnonymousFailing just short of success for lack of a final effort.
  42. The Man of Qi Fears the Sky Will FallLie Yukou (Liezi) (traditionally attributed)Needless or groundless worry.
  43. Work of Ghostly Axes and Divine CraftZhuangzi (traditionally attributed)Craftsmanship or natural scenery so marvelous it seems beyond human ability.
  44. The Horse That Harms the HerdZhuangzi (traditionally attributed)A person who harms or corrupts the group; a black sheep.
  45. Snipe and Clam Locked in StruggleLiu Xiang (comp.)When two sides fight to a stalemate, a third party reaps the benefit.
  46. The Man of Zheng Buys ShoesHan FeiTrusting rules and measurements rather than reality; rigid dogmatism.
  47. In Perfect OrderXunzi (Xun Kuang)Neatly organized and in perfect order.
  48. Waiting by the Stump for a HareHan FeiClinging to a lucky past experience instead of adapting; hoping for gain without effort.
  49. The Old Horse Knows the WayHan FeiAn experienced person knows the way and can guide others.
  50. A Mantis Blocking a ChariotZhuangzi (traditionally attributed)Overrating oneself and attempting the impossible; doomed resistance.
  51. Fearless in the Face of DangerZhuangzi (traditionally attributed)Unafraid when facing danger.
  52. So Enchanted One Forgets to ReturnMenciusSo captivated by a place or pleasure that one forgets to leave.
  53. Mending the Pen after Losing SheepLiu Xiang (comp.)Taking remedial action after a loss to prevent further damage.
  54. A Thousand Changes, Ten Thousand TransformationsLie Yukou (Liezi) (traditionally attributed)Endlessly changing; showing countless variations.
  55. Dong Shi Imitates the FrownZhuangzi (traditionally attributed)The plain Dong Shi copies Xi Shi's frown and looks worse; blind imitation that backfires.
  56. New Every Day, Different Every MonthDai Sheng (comp.)Changing day by day and month by month; rapid progress.
  57. Like Fire, Like Reed FlowersZuo Qiuming (traditionally attributed)Like red fire and white reed flowers; vigorous, spectacular, and in full swing.
  58. As If Treading on Thin IceAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)As if walking on thin ice; acting with the utmost caution.
  59. As If Relieved of a Heavy LoadGuliang Chi (traditionally attributed)As if a heavy burden were lifted; a feeling of great relief.
  60. Think Thrice Before ActingAnonymous (Confucius's disciples and their students)Think carefully, again and again, before taking action.
  61. The Law of Heaven and EarthZuo Qiuming (traditionally attributed)A principle as unalterable as heaven and earth; perfectly justified.
  62. Three Men Make a TigerLiu Xiang (comp.)If three people say there is a tiger in the market, it is believed; repeated rumor becomes truth.
  63. Driven to Desperate RiskZuo Qiuming (traditionally attributed)Driven by desperation to take a reckless risk.
  64. Nothing Can Be DoneLiu Xiang (comp.)Utterly helpless; there is nothing to be done.
  65. Joy, Anger, Sorrow, and DelightDai Sheng (comp.)Joy, anger, grief, and happiness; the full range of human emotions.
  66. With Careful ReverenceAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)Originally reverent and solemn; now, extremely careful and cautious.
  67. Vivid as LifeZhuangzi (traditionally attributed)So lifelike it seems alive; vividly true to life.
  68. Never Weary of LearningAnonymous (Confucius's disciples and their students)Never tiring of learning; always eager to learn more.
  69. Hesitant and UndecidedLiu Xiang (comp.)Hesitating and unable to make up one's mind.
  70. Orderly and MethodicalAnonymousWell-ordered and systematic; not the least bit confused.
  71. Know Yourself and Know Your EnemySunziKnowing both yourself and your opponent, the basis for sound action in any contest.
  72. United Wills Form a FortressZuo Qiuming (traditionally attributed)When many are of one mind they become a fortress; unity creates unbreakable strength.
  73. Victorious in a Hundred BattlesSunziWinning every battle; invincible in war, or consistently successful in any endeavor.
  74. Guests Feel at HomeZuo Qiuming (traditionally attributed)Guests feel as if they have come home; describes warm, attentive hospitality.
  75. Unable to Live under the Same SkyDai Sheng (comp.)Unwilling to share the same sky with an enemy; describes the deepest enmity.
  76. Beyond CureAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)Beyond the help of medicine; hopelessly incorrigible.
  77. CountlessMozi (Mo Di) (traditionally attributed)Too many to be counted; countless.
  78. Far from IsolatedGongyang Gao (traditionally attributed)Not just one but many; used when listing numerous similar instances.
  79. Sparing No EffortLiu Xiang (comp.)Sparing no effort; using every ounce of strength.
  80. Overrating OneselfZuo Qiuming (traditionally attributed)Overestimating one's own abilities and attempting the impossible.
  81. The Pillar in MidstreamAnonymousLike the rock standing firm amid the Yellow River's torrent; a person or force that holds steady in a crisis.
  82. Wholehearted ConcentrationMenciusDevoting one's whole mind and attention to a task.
  83. Trembling with AnxietyAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)Uneasy and fearful, full of anxious worry.
  84. Giving Up on OneselfMenciusAbandoning oneself to failure or degradation; giving up all effort to improve.
  85. Self-RighteousMenciusBelieving oneself always right and refusing others' views; self-righteous.
  86. Not Yielding in RighteousnessConfuciusTaking on what is right without deferring to anyone, even one's teacher.
  87. The Most Urgent TaskMenciusThe most pressing matter of the moment, to be dealt with first.
  88. Deep-Rooted and Firmly EstablishedLaoziDeeply rooted and firmly fixed; hard to shake or remove.
  89. Weighing on One's MindAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)Unable to let go of something troubling; brooding over it.
  90. Faking It in the Pipe BandHan FeiA man who couldn't play the yu hid among real players; posing as competent among experts.
  91. Too Much Is as Bad as Too LittleConfuciusOverdoing is as bad as underdoing; everything in moderation.
  92. Flowers Without FruitZuo QiumingAll blossom and no fruit; showy on the outside but empty within.
  93. The Benevolent See Benevolence, the Wise See WisdomKing Wen of Zhou (traditionally attributed)Different people see the same matter differently, each according to their own perspective.
  94. Changing One's Mind at Every New SightGuan Zhong (traditionally attributed)To want to change course whenever something new appears; fickle and lacking constancy.
  95. Three in the Morning, Four in the EveningZhuangzi (traditionally attributed)Originally a trick to fool others; now means being fickle and constantly changing.
  96. Keeping Oneself CleanMenciusTo keep oneself morally pure and aloof from wrongdoing; also, to avoid involvement for self-protection.
  97. Draining the Pond to Catch the FishLu Buwei (comp.)Draining a pond to get all the fish; sacrificing long-term interest for immediate gain.
  98. Fighting a Tiger Barehanded, Fording a River on FootAnonymous (Confucius's disciples and their students)Tackling a tiger barehanded and wading a river; reckless courage without judgment.
  99. Hearsay Picked Up on the RoadAnonymous (Confucius's disciples and their students)Rumors heard on the road and passed on; groundless hearsay.
  100. Mutual Deceit and DistrustZuo Qiuming (traditionally attributed)Each deceiving and distrusting the other; mutual scheming.