The Chinese Sayings Podcast: Recent Episodes
Laszlo Montgomery
Join Laszlo Montgomery for weekly episodes that introduce commonly used Chinese Sayings and the stories and rich meanings behind each phrase. Whether you speak Chinese or not, enjoy a few stories and pick up a phrase or two from China’s ancient times.
Lovers of all things Song Dynasty will surely recall the story of Qin Hui. He has top billing in this tale concerning the story behind Shù Dǎo Húsūn Sàn 树倒猢狲散. This one has practical applications these days when we see political and corporate leaders fall from grace. When that happens, we often get to view the spectacle of hangers-on and sycophants scattering and heading for the hills, to search once more for someone to suck up to. This Chinese Saying comes in handy when this happens. We all need someone to lean on. Make sure the one you choose has some staying power. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Once again we thank The Grand Historian for giving up another good one. This one's an eight-character chengyu. The story goes back to 206 BC and the famous story of Liu Bang and Xiang Yu's meeting at The Banquet at Hongmen. Here, the two contenders for the emperorship of China, meet face to face. Only one of them could sit on that throne and beginning right here, the Chu-Han Contention begins. The chengyu for this time, 项庄舞剑, 意在沛公 Xiàng Zhuāng Wǔ Jiàn, Yì Zài Pèi Gōng comes from this slice of history mentioned in the Record of the Grand Historian from the chapter on Xiang Yu. People who have a lot to lose, especially in the world of politics and government should pay attention to this one. It's a good one to use when describing someone who may appear all nice and pleasant but who has a hidden motive to do you harm. Enjoy! White Vengeance Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-H3yXEh7KCQ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
With a cast of characters like the Dukes of Jin and Chu and everyone's favorite exile Chong Er, you're guaranteed a treat. This is the story behind the chengyu: 退避三舍 Tuì Bì Sān Shè. The story of Chong Er, his escape from persecution by his father Duke Xian of Jin, and his triumphant return to Jin in 636 BC is one of the countless unforgettable stories from ancient Chinese history. Before Chong Er became Duke Wen of Jin, he experienced a nineteen-year odyssey that took him throughout the states of the Zhou Dynasty. This story concerns a visit to Chu. Sometimes you gotta know when to make a strategic retreat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This time we're featuring another oldie but goodie, Qīng Chū Yú Lán 青出于蓝. Though Xunzi was the inspiration for the chengyu, the tale behind this Chinese Saying comes from the Northern and Southern Dynasties period. The longer version of the saying goes 青出于蓝, 而胜于蓝 but we'll just focus on the front four and that's all you need for most situations where you want to remark about a student or apprentice, surpassing their teacher or master. Don't forget, all the terms for all the episodes can be found at my website at https://teacup.media. Thanks, everyone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome back my all history and Chengyu lovers to another Season of The Chinese Sayings Podcast. We're coming out of the starting gate fast and strong with another well-known and useful chengyu. Today we examine the 3rd century BC story behind Yī Zì Qiān Jīn ( 一字千金 ). This is the one that came to us direct from The Grand Historian Himself and it features Lü Buwei, Lady Zhao, and the father of the future first emperor of China, King Zhuangxiang. This is one of the classic stories from the Qin State. Stay cool everyone, especially all ya'lls in Arizona. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Once again, Warring States heavy, Han Feizi, pulls through for us with an excellent chengyu in this Season 6 closer. Bào Xīn Jiù Huǒ 抱薪救火. Sometimes you think you're helping...but all you're doing is making things worse. Our story goes back to the early 3rd century BC rivalry between Qin and Wei. During the reign of pugnacious King Zhaoxiang of Qin, Wei State had to figure out how to survive this ambitious and energized rival kingdom. The King of Wei's advisors offered conflicting advice about how to help the situation. The king finds out later what was supposed to help his state's situation only made things worse. Many thanks, everyone for taking in this final episode of Season 6. Laszlo and Emma will be back soon with a new and interesting lineup in Season 7. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Here's another good chengyu that goes all the way back to the Zuo Zhuan, The Commentaries of Zuo Qiuming. The story takes place during the 6th century BC and concerns the Spring & Autumn Period states of Chu and Jin. Sima Hou of Jin advised his king against forcing the unlikable Chu King Ling into a corner. The king's advisor explained, when nations find themselves in a tight spot and the heat is on, 多难兴邦 Duō Nàn Xīng Bāng, many hardships can rejuvenate the nation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Here's another great one from the good old days of the Western Han Dynasty. Does the Book of Han deliver or what? If you like happy endings, this is one you'll enjoy. Two star-crossed lovers, one rich and one poor, don't stop believing and end up happily ever after. This is the story of Sima Xiangru 司马相如 and Zhuo Wenjun 卓文君. He knew it as soon as he saw Zhuo Wenjun, despite their different stations in life, he was made to love her. This beauty from such an exalted household saw that Sima Xiangru's home may have been 家徒四壁 Jiā Tú Sì Bì, but she didn't mind. Sima Xiangru went on to become one of ancient China's greatest of the great literati. Don't mix him up with Lin Xiangru 蔺相如, the great official from the State of Zhao, featured in a few previous CSP episodes. Jiā Tú Sì Bì, a house with only four walls. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Here's one that goes back all the way to the Huananzi 淮南子. And it's still used today. And quite often too. Sài wēng shī mǎ, yān zhī fēi fú 塞翁失马焉知非福. Eight characters that remind us sometimes you never know when a good thing turns out to be a bad thing and a bad thing turns out to be a blessing in disguise. This is the Chinese Saying that reminds us fate rewards us in strange and roundabout ways. It also taketh away just when you thought you were lucky. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week's Chinese Saying is a well-worn one brought to us by none other than Sima Qian, the Grand Historian. Featured in this story are Lian Po, Zhao She, Zhao Kuo, Bai Qi and the whole Battle of Changping. This is the story of Zhǐshàng Tánbīng 紙上談兵, a useful chengyu for all kinds of occasions where the end result doesn't necessarily go according to the carefully crafted plan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This Chinese Saying for this time, 东山再起 Dōng Shān Zài Qǐ is a good one for any situation involving someone whose career everyone thought finished but who came back for one more great moment. This tale, taken from the Book of Jin, tells the story of Xie An who, after already doing great things for the Eastern Jin, came out of retirement to shine one more time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We've all been in this situation in our lives. Here's one for all seasons. Poor old Zhou Bo was caught ill-prepared when the emperor was grilling him. Enjoy this one, gifted to us by The Grand Historian himself, Sima Qian: Hàn Liú Jiā Bèi 汗流浃背. The weather doesn't need to be hot and humid to relate to this ancient classic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The story behind today's Chinese Saying is an old favorite of all lovers of popular Chinese history. How can we forget Zhao Gao 赵高 from the Qin Dynasty and the famous story behind Zhǐ Lù Wéi Mǎ 指鹿为马. In our connected age when it's so easy to hoodwink one another in news feeds and social media, this is the perfect chéngyǔ to keep handy at all times. And of course, because this Zhǐ Lù Wéi Mǎ strategy worked so well for Zhao Gao in the 3rd Century BC, many an autocrat since, also found it handy and useful, not to mention, effective. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We're back with another good one, this time with a rare appearance of a twelve-character Chinese Saying. This one is perfect for our modern times. It' become a regular thing to see politicians, celebrities, and everyday people, talking the talk on social media about how to act, but not following through so much with walking the walk. Politicians stand on soapboxes and tell the people to obey the Covid regulations. But next thing you know, they're caught on video flaunting their own rules. This chéngyǔ is perfect to use in those kinds of situations. Zhǐ xǔ Zhōuguān fànghuǒ, Bùxǔ bǎixìng diǎndēng, 只许州官放火，不许百姓点灯. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The CSP is back for another season. We're coming out of the starting gate nice and strong for the Sixth Season opener with one of the great all-time classics: Point at the Mulberry Tree and Scold the Locust Tree. Zhǐ Sāng Mà Huái 指桑骂槐. This one has a double provenance, coming to us from both The Thirty-Six Strategems and Dream of the Red Chamber. This Chinese Saying is quite useful and strongly favored by lovers of the art of passive aggression. Nine more good ones lined up for this season. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For the Chinese Sayings Podcast Season 5 closer, we reach into the treasure box to bring you another useful and memorable Chinese chengyu. This time we tell the story of the Golden Millet Dream, the Huáng Liáng Měi Mèng 黄粱美梦. A bitter petty official, dissatisfied with his lot in life, after a chance encounter with a Daoist priest, learns a powerful life lesson. This is a good Chinese saying for all dreamers out there. That's going to be it for this Fifth Season of the Chinese Sayings Podcast. We'll be back soon with another slate of useful and interesting chengyu's in Season 6. Thanks to everyone who have tuned in and enjoyed the CSP. And last but not least a heartfelt thanks to Emma for all her hard work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this penultimate CSP episode for Season 5, we harken back to the Three Kingdoms Period, and the time of the two brothers Sun Ce and Sun Quan. When Sun Quan's lugubrious grieving over Sun Ce's unexpected and early passing leads him to neglect his kingdom, he learns from a trusted voice that he is Kāi Mén Yī Dào 开门揖盗. Opening the door and welcoming a robber. He's asking for it! Enjoy this story lifted directly from the Record of the Three Kingdoms. And thanks for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For this latest CSP episode, we welcome China's great historian, Sima Qian to the stage where he plays in a starring role in this tragic story behind the well-known Chinese Saying Jiǔ Niú Yī Máo 九牛一毛. One hair from nine oxen. Most Chinese speakers know of this one but not the story behind it. When faced with a tough choice after displeasing Han Emperor Wu, the future Grand Historian, after careful consideration accepted his sad fate and went on to finish the epic history of China from mythical times to the present day in the Han, begun by his father, Sima Tan. Enjoy!
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Another good one from The Zhuangzi, the Second Book of the Dao. This idiom concerns a craftsman in Lu (southern Shandong Province) who was particularly masterful at carving these wooden stands that held ceremonial bells. So great was his workmanship, people who beheld his handiwork declared it was Shén Gōng Gǔi Fǔ 神工鬼斧.
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The Chengyu, Chinese Saying, for this time is one of the most well-known of all. This story is a staple when discussing the true meaning of a selfless mother who only lives for her children. This is the story of Mengzi's mother or "Mèng Mǔ" and her pursuit of the perfect location to raise her son. It took three tries but after Mèng Mǔ Sān Qiān 孟母三迁, she found the perfect place to raise her pride and joy. Through this, and other demonstrations of doing her best for her son, Mengzi's mother received high marks.
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Another staple from the "Greatest Chengyu of All-time" Box Set. The Frog at the Bottom of the Well, 井底之蛙 Jǐng Dǐ Zhī Wā. This one has a multitude of uses and comes to us straight from The Zhuangzi. This story concerns a small frog living happily at the bottom of a well. He lived a happy and contented life but remained oblivious to what was going on outside the small space he resided in. He thought he knew everything till Mr. Sea Turtle came along.
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The CSP is back with another good one coming to us courtesy of the Book of Jin. 木人石心 Mù Rén Shí Xīn. This story features real-life historical person Jia Chong, a high-up official in the Jin Dynasty and a long-time crony of the royal Sima Family. This is a good idiom to describe people who are principled and cannot be bought. No amount of temptation can lead them to stray from their mission.
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The story behind this Chinese Saying is a great one from Chinese history. The story of Tóu Bǐ Cóng Róng 投笔从戎 revolves around the esteemed Ban Family of historians. The patriarch was Ban Biao who co-wrote the Book of Han. Unfortunately, he passed away before completing this momentous work. His children Ban Gu and Ban Zhao completed the Book of Han. They had another sibling named Ban Chao who also toiled away as a historian. In this episode, we'll look at the story of Ban Chao before we went on to serve the Han Dynasty out in the Western Regions of Xinjiang. He threw down his pen and in a fit of patriotism and yearning for glory, he joined the army. You can also apply it to anyone is puts their life on hold and joins up to fight for a cause, such as the invasion of one's country.
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Another good one for you today from the golden age of chengyu's, The Warring States Period. This Chinese Sayings is taken from the Zuo Zhuan 左转 and concerns Duke Jing of the powerful State of Jin 晋景公. This gruesome story of revenge and deceit gave us the chengyu 病入膏肓. Bìng Rù Gāo Huāng. When any kind of situation reaches this Bìng Rù Gāo Huāng condition, it's hopeless. There's nothing that can be done. It's too late baby!
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We're back with another season of wonderful and useful chengyu's for your Chinese sayings repertoire. Everyone knows this one. Well, maybe not everyone but it's pretty well-known. We ended last season in the Later Han Dynasty and that's where we'll start Season 5. Though this story was written during the Ming dynasty it concerns the 3rd Century character Sima Hui 司马徽. He was the original Hǎo Hǎo Xiānshēng 好好先生 who lived not to upset anyone or take a contrarian stance against anything that was ever said to him (by anyone).
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For the Season 4 closer, we end with a story taken from the Later Book of Han from the chapter all about the model official Zhang Gang. Not even the evil Liang Ji of Han Emperor Shun's time could poison the reputation and deeds of Zhang Gang. In this week's CSP offering, we see Zhang Gang talk some sense with the rebel bandit Zhang Ying. We'll see how he throws Zhang Ying a lifeline to rescue him from a situation that this remorseful bandit leader described as Fǔ Dǐ Yóu Yú 釜底游鱼.
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Laszlo dredges up another great one from China's ancient times. This one not only features a story from Zhuangzi's Second Book of the Dao (a.k.a. The Zhuangzi) but also stars the great Confucius himself. In this story from the 5th century BC, Confucius is taken on a wild and bumpy ride with the violent and course "Robber" Zhi 盗跖. After trying to convince "Robber" Zhi of the error in his ways, Confucius is given a major dressing down and his philosophy is utterly rejected, leaving The Great Sage with a feeling of Hǔ Kǒu Yú Shēng 虎口余生.
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Here's another good one to remember if your life should temporarily hit the skids and your friends scatter. This one comes from the Grand Historian himself, Sima Qian, who tells us all about Lord Zhai, a loyal and respected public servant during the long reign of Han Emperor Wu.
I hope you never have to use this one in your life but keep Mén Kě Luǒ Què 门可罗雀 handy just in case. And take a page out of the Record of the Grand Historian and what Lord Zhai's classy response was to his fair-weather-friends.
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Welcome back to another CSP. This time I'm happy to present to you another great one direct from The Zhuangzi. Everyone's favorite Daoist tells us the story about a young kid from the sticks who had a chance encounter with no less a personage than The Yellow Emperor himself. When engaging the young kid about matters regarding how to rule the world we learn the useful idiom of Hài Qún Zhī Mǎ 害群之马. This one has all kinds of uses and is worth remembering. Enjoy!
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In the latest CSP episode, we harken back to the early Jin Dynasty 晋朝 and the zaniness of the Sima Clan following the death of Emperor Wu of Jin. Plenty of blood flowed during the shake-out period as the 3rd century AD came to a close. But it wasn't all bad. From this period we get the great Chinese Saying, Gǒu Wěi Xù Diāo 狗尾续貂. Keep this one in your back pocket for use in case of something that started off good but ended up turning into a major farce in the end.
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Today's CSP offering goes way way back to the time of Ancient Chu State during the 7th century BC. The famous "Hé Shì Bì" 和氏璧 Jade ornament discussed years ago in CSP episode S3E01 once again takes center stage. In this prequel to that S3E01 episode, we see how a poor farmer (He Shi) discovers this priceless jade and makes multiple failed attempts to hand it over to the King of Chu.
This is really the prequel to that Season 3 opener that saw King Zhaoxiang of Qin renege on his offer to trade a bunch of cities to Zhao State if they would only bring him this priceless Jade Bi Ornament. Ifr you recall Lin Xiangru had to head to Qin to bring the whole jade back to Zhao. If something has immense and immeasurable value, today's Saying is perfect to use: Jiàzhí Liánchéng 价值连城.
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Today's Chinese Saying, Bān Mén Nòng Fǔ 班门弄斧 comes to us courtesy of the Tang and Song Dynasty luminaries Liu Zongyuan and Ouyang Xiu who teach us about the Zhou Dynasty hero Lu Ban. He knew how to use an axe to build stuff like no one else. You don't want to stand outside his doorway and brag about your axe-wielding skills. This is a good one to use when you see people talking up their skillset in front of a true master.
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Another classic from the long list of great Chinese Sayings. 守株待兔 Shǒu Zhū Dài Tù. Thank Han Feizi for this one. He teaches us not to sit around and wait for good luck to find us. Just because you got lucky once doesn't mean lightning will strike twice. In this quick story about the farmer in Song State, we learn sometimes it's better to go out and seek what you want rather than waiting for it to fall in your lap.
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Remember that O'Jay's tune from 1972, "Backstabbers"? They must have had Tang Dynasty chancellor Li Linfu in mind. The story behind our Chinese Saying for this time 口蜜腹剑 tells the story of this 8th-century politician/official who served the great Emperor Xuanxong (玄宗). All the time, they want to take your place, the backstabbers (backstabbers). Beware of those with a honey mouth and a dagger in their belly. Kǒu Mì Fù Jiàn.
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Welcome back to the fourth season of the Chinese Sayings Podcast...after three years and seven months, we continue on where we left off with another story behind one of the great Chinese Sayings, or chengyu.
This time around we harken back to the "Strategies of the Warring States" to look at the tale of drawing legs on a snake. Don't forget, all the characters and Chinese terms from all the CSP episodes are all listed for you at the website.
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For the final episode of Season 3 Laszlo closes with one of the classics from the Three Kingdoms era. Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang star in this drama played against the backdrop of the Battle of Red Cliff.
Who hasn't fallen victim to something big or small that resulted when your best-laid plans didn't quite work out as you expected.
For a full list of the terms used in this episode, please visit the website at teacup.media
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Another classic from the Eastern Han that features the future King of Shu, the great Liu Bei of Three Kingdoms period renown. In this episode we find Liu Bei catching a breather after suffering a defeat in the service of Yuan Shao at the hands of Cao Cao's forces. During his period of laying low, Liu Bei starts to regret the situation he finds himself in.
For a full list of the terms used in this episode, please visit the website at teacup.media
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Laszlo introduces another nobody from Chinese history named Zong Que who had his own great aspirations. He swore he would make something of himself one day. Furthermore, if he did, he was determined to do it as a soldier.
Although Zong Que's achievements on the battlefield weren't written about in most history books, the old Book of Song included his story and how we got this episode's featured Chinese Saying.
For a full list of the terms used in this episode, please visit the website at teacup.media
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This week's Chinese Saying comes from a story direct from the Eastern Han Dynasty. It features the Guangwu Emperor who gave us this useful idiom when he praised the star of our episode.
For a full list of the terms used in this episode, please visit the website at teacup.media
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When the Han Emperor Xuan had a headache out in west China he called on Old Reliable, General Zhao Chongguo, to deal with it. From this, we get one of the most useful Chinese Sayings ever!
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We're midway through the halfway point in Season 3. China History Podcast fans will all know this story from which our Chengyu was derived. These is the early years of the Warring States period. Kings Goujian of Yue State and Fuchai of Wu were slugging it out down in Central China.
From this epic struggle between these two neighboring rivals came one of the great stories from ancient Chinese history that has been told and re-told throughout the centuries. Let's hear it one more time in this episode and learn what's up with "lying on brushwood and tasting bile."
For a full list of the terms used in this episode, please visit the website at teacup.media
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We're in the dying days of the Qin Dynasty with this week's Chinese Saying. The Dazexiang Uprising marked a turning point in the fortunes of the Qin empire.
In this episode we meet Chen Sheng, a.k.a. Chen She, whose origins couldn't have been more humble. Hear his story and how he aspired to be to become the Hong Hu Zhi Zhi concealed away in his heart.
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For this week's offering, we hear the well-known legend of Xiang Yu, Zhang Han, and Liu Bang. As the Qin Dynasty starts to crumble Xiang Yu heads to the defense of Zhao State to face off against the ever-victorious Qin general Zhang Han and ultimately the kingship of Guanzhong.
Before he engaged Zhang Han in battle, Xiang Yu shouted a four-syllable order to his troops. And we look at these famous words in this episode.
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We continue on with another story featuring the great statesman from the Warring States period, Lin Xiangru. After becoming a hero last episode for returning the He Shi Bi Jade back to Zhao, Lin rose high in the government.
But the mighty general Lian Po wasn't satisfied to play second fiddle and was determined to put Lin Xiangru in his place. He should have known better and learned a great lesson.
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Season 3 is off and running with an episode featuring the Western Han statesman and hero Sima Xiangru. In this Season 3 series, all episodes will feature heroes and brave soldiers from Chinese history.
The season opener sees Lin Xiangru promising his king if the precious He Shi Bi jade ornament should get stolen or lost, he will find it and return it safely to his home state of Zhao all in one piece.
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In the CSP Season 2 finale, Laszlo picks out a good one featuring China's most famous person from ancient times. Today with our smart phone-obsessed lifestyles you can say we too sometimes don't notice the smell of meat.
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Laszlo tells a story of true love between two literary famosas from the Song Dynasty. Theirs was the perfect love that contained all the ingredients of marital bliss except length of years together.
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Back to Shandong Province and the Spring and Autumn Period to the epic Battle of Chang Shao 684 BCE to learn how underdog Lu State, by the beat of a drum, out-strategized their bigger and more powerful neighbor to the north.
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Here's another musical chengyu with an injection of sadness. It's a theme that has inspired movies, plays, and every kind of literature. When your eye catches an object that reminds you of someone important in your life who had passed away. It also features some literati megastars from Chinese cultural history.
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This is a nice musical Chinese Saying to describe a soulmate or someone who can be called your 知音 (zhīyīn)..a friend who is appreciative or understanding of a friend (and his talents). Like almost all of this Chengyu, it comes to us directly from the first half of the Eastern Zhou Period.
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Everybody knows of someone who can be described by this Chinese Saying. In this week's musical Chinese Saying we look at the lazy poser Mr. Nanguo and his brief career as a Yu player in an all-Yu Orchestra and the wonderful story that gave us a nice useful saying.
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Hopefully, none of us will ever face these circumstances...but when all is lost and you're surrounded by enemies trying to take you down, remember the Songs of the ancient state of Chu.
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If you've ever explained yourself or something you're quite expert in and all you get is a blank stare of complete non-comprehension, this one is for you.
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Have you ever experienced something, the impact of which lasted well beyond when you saw it or heard it? That's what today's particularly useful Chinese Saying is all about.
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We're back with the Season Two opener. This time Laszlo digs deep into the Eastern Zhou Dynasty to introduce a Chinese Saying with a story that tells why some music just isn't for everybody.
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In this last episode of the first season of the Chinese Sayings Podcast, Laszlo explains the scuttlebutt behind the loyal official who wagered a dynasty in one single bet. Gū Zhù Yī Zhì
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Laszlo serves up yet another good one, Gǎn Ēn Tú Bào. An ancient story teaches us when someone does ya a solid...don't forget to show your gratitude by paying them back one day.
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Back to the Warring States period once again to a story that brings us a story that many of us are all too familiar with.
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A noble lord accepts an ill-fated job offer and relies on his entourage to extricate him from his situation.
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This week Laszlo digs up another doozie, starring some Tang Dynasty inquisitors in the employ of China's one and only Empress to rule as the head of state.
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Laszlo digs up another oldie but goodie from 1,800 years ago. Everyone has nibbled on chicken ribs at one time or another. Bon appétit mesdames et messieurs!
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缘木求鱼
This week's Chengyu phrase features no less a personage than the great philosopher Mencius himself, Mengzi to the cognoscenti. In this chengyu Mengzi preaches a lesson of peace to the King of Qi State in Shandong province.
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The next time someone looks down on your gift because its value isn't much, now you have the perfect rejoinder.
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In this new episode (weekly, as advertised), Laszlo introduces a story from the early 4th Century BCE, the Warring States period that preceded the unification of China under Qin Shihuang. It concerns the ruler down in the southwest kingdom of Shu, centered around Chengdu.
Thanks to his greediness for a small gift, he ended up losing big later on. He was so busy counting his pennies earned in a quick score that he lost sight of the pounds he'd lose down the road.
This ruler's moment of weakness was immortalized by Lü Buwei in his highly respected Lü Shi Chunqiu who called him out as one who Tan Xiao Shi Da.
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In the inaugural episode of the Chinese Sayings Podcast Laszlo introduces one of his favorites from his earliest days: Guā Tián Li Xià. 瓜田李下.
This one goes all the way back to the early days of the Three Kingdoms Period. The lesson it teaches us is to watch yourself when you're in circumstances that might possibly be misunderstood and show you in a suspicious light.
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A warm welcome to the Chinese Sayings Podcast, new from Teacup Media. Each episode Laszlo introduces a new "chengyu" or Chinese idiomatic expression or saying. You'll get the backstory behind these ancient sayings and from this, you can unlock the meaning behind four characters that seem to have no meaning. There will also be comparisons between the Chinese saying and its English equivalent.
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