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螳臂当车 (tang2 bi4 dang3 che1) - The praying mantis
By Zhang Ciyun |
August 31, 2008, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
It is always quixotic or even tragic when someone over estimates himself and attempts in vain to hold back an overwhelmingly superior force. In the West, this may bring to mind the image of Don Quixote.
In China, people will invariably think of either an ant trying to topple a tree or a praying mantis attempting to stop a running chariot. The latter derives from a story about a well-known ancient Chinese scholar, Yan He.
In the late Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC), Yan, famous for his scholastic accomplishments, paid a visit to the State of Wei. He was warmly received by the duke, who asked the scholar to tutor his son.
Knowing that the son was a young devil who treated human life as it were not worth anything, Yan hesitated to accept the duke's offer. Therefore, he went to discuss the matter with his friend Qu Boyu, who was a respected scholar in Wei.
Yan told his friend that he was inclined to accept the duke's offer so he could help change his son's behavior and prevent him from doing harm to his country and people in the future.
"But, if I force him to change his temperament now, he might become outrageous and even take my life. So what should I do?" Yan asked.
Qu did not give the visiting scholar a direct answer. Instead, he told him the following story:
"One day I was riding a chariot in the countryside. Suddenly, I saw a praying mantis jump into the middle of the road. Wielding its two knife-like fore legs, the insect seemed to be trying to stop the vehicle.
"A split of second later, the mantis was crushed under the wheels of the chariot. Obviously, it was simply impossible for such a feeble insect to stop a running chariot."
"Now," Qu continued, "in my eyes, you are just like that mantis. You overrated yourself when you thought you could mend the ways of the duke's son.
"You might be put to death by the notorious young rascal before you could do anything to turn him into a kind-hearted man."
After listening to the story about the praying mantis, the visiting scholar declined the duke's offer and immediately left the State of Wei.
Most Chinese speakers today may not remember this story, but they all know this idiom that involves the praying mantis and the running chariot.
In China, people will invariably think of either an ant trying to topple a tree or a praying mantis attempting to stop a running chariot. The latter derives from a story about a well-known ancient Chinese scholar, Yan He.
In the late Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC), Yan, famous for his scholastic accomplishments, paid a visit to the State of Wei. He was warmly received by the duke, who asked the scholar to tutor his son.
Knowing that the son was a young devil who treated human life as it were not worth anything, Yan hesitated to accept the duke's offer. Therefore, he went to discuss the matter with his friend Qu Boyu, who was a respected scholar in Wei.
Yan told his friend that he was inclined to accept the duke's offer so he could help change his son's behavior and prevent him from doing harm to his country and people in the future.
"But, if I force him to change his temperament now, he might become outrageous and even take my life. So what should I do?" Yan asked.
Qu did not give the visiting scholar a direct answer. Instead, he told him the following story:
"One day I was riding a chariot in the countryside. Suddenly, I saw a praying mantis jump into the middle of the road. Wielding its two knife-like fore legs, the insect seemed to be trying to stop the vehicle.
"A split of second later, the mantis was crushed under the wheels of the chariot. Obviously, it was simply impossible for such a feeble insect to stop a running chariot."
"Now," Qu continued, "in my eyes, you are just like that mantis. You overrated yourself when you thought you could mend the ways of the duke's son.
"You might be put to death by the notorious young rascal before you could do anything to turn him into a kind-hearted man."
After listening to the story about the praying mantis, the visiting scholar declined the duke's offer and immediately left the State of Wei.
Most Chinese speakers today may not remember this story, but they all know this idiom that involves the praying mantis and the running chariot.
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