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Setting the tiger free (zong4 hu3 gui1 shan1)
By Zhang Ciyun |
March 28, 2010, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINESE devotees of Buddhism believe that it's a kindly act to free captive animals. Therefore, during important Buddhist festivals, they often buy captive fish or birds and set them free.
However, not all animals are suitable for this purpose. For instance, few Chinese people believe in (zong4 hu3 gui1 shan1) or "letting the tiger return to the mountain."
This popular Chinese saying comes from a story about Liu Bei, a hero during the Three Kingdoms period (AD 220-280).
During the late years of the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25-220), China was rushed into an overall civil war. One day, Liu went to Cao Cao -- who later became ruler of the Wei Kingdom -- for protection after being defeated by another warlord.
One of Cao's advisers told him that Liu was an ambitious man who could become a rival and block Cao's plan for unifying the country in the future. So, the adviser repeatedly tried to persuade Cao to kill him.
But Cao refused to do so. He said it was time to invite to his side men of wisdom and valor instead of persecuting the able and virtuous.
Cao showed great hospitality and respect to Liu while the latter tried his best to hide his ambitions and ostentatiously demonstrated his modesty.
One day, Liu told Cao that he was willing to lead an army to attack the invading enemy. Cao agreed.
After learning the news, the suspicious adviser immediately asked for permission to see Cao. He told Cao that it would be very wrong to let Liu go.
"This is like freeing a dragon to the sea and allowing a tiger to return to the mountain," said the adviser. "By doing so, you are creating a future adversary for yourself."
He urged Cao to rescind his order and call back Liu and the army. But it was already too late. Liu refused to take the retreat order and hurriedly left the territory controlled by Cao troops.
Eventually, Liu set up his own kingdom and became one of Cao's arch-rivals in unifying the country.
The metaphor used by the adviser has today evolved into a popular idiom. (zong4 hu3 gui1 shan1) is now frequently quoted by Chinese speakers to describe any decision that allows a potential rival or enemy the opportunity to grow into a fully fledged force of antagonism in future.
However, not all animals are suitable for this purpose. For instance, few Chinese people believe in (zong4 hu3 gui1 shan1) or "letting the tiger return to the mountain."
This popular Chinese saying comes from a story about Liu Bei, a hero during the Three Kingdoms period (AD 220-280).
During the late years of the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25-220), China was rushed into an overall civil war. One day, Liu went to Cao Cao -- who later became ruler of the Wei Kingdom -- for protection after being defeated by another warlord.
One of Cao's advisers told him that Liu was an ambitious man who could become a rival and block Cao's plan for unifying the country in the future. So, the adviser repeatedly tried to persuade Cao to kill him.
But Cao refused to do so. He said it was time to invite to his side men of wisdom and valor instead of persecuting the able and virtuous.
Cao showed great hospitality and respect to Liu while the latter tried his best to hide his ambitions and ostentatiously demonstrated his modesty.
One day, Liu told Cao that he was willing to lead an army to attack the invading enemy. Cao agreed.
After learning the news, the suspicious adviser immediately asked for permission to see Cao. He told Cao that it would be very wrong to let Liu go.
"This is like freeing a dragon to the sea and allowing a tiger to return to the mountain," said the adviser. "By doing so, you are creating a future adversary for yourself."
He urged Cao to rescind his order and call back Liu and the army. But it was already too late. Liu refused to take the retreat order and hurriedly left the territory controlled by Cao troops.
Eventually, Liu set up his own kingdom and became one of Cao's arch-rivals in unifying the country.
The metaphor used by the adviser has today evolved into a popular idiom. (zong4 hu3 gui1 shan1) is now frequently quoted by Chinese speakers to describe any decision that allows a potential rival or enemy the opportunity to grow into a fully fledged force of antagonism in future.
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