The Chinese Sayings Podcast

Firstly, hats off to Emma and her 团队 at the CYZ for all their hard work, all season-long. We close out the season 9 with an amusing story from a source, as yet never featured on this long-running educational program, called the Guòtínglù 过庭录. The author was Song literary figure Fàn Gōngchēng 范公偁 who had the misfortune to be born during the exact time when the Northern Song ended and the Southern Song began. In this tale, our young hero Sūn Shān 孙山 heads off to the capital to take the imperial exam. Another villager tagged along who also registered to take the test. One passed the test and the other was Míng Luò Sūn Shān 名落孙山. It's a nice little story infused with some of the best of Chinese culture and a dollop of human decency. That's it for Season 9. I may post a few director's cuts of previous CSP episodes during the off-season. All these CSP episodes will soon be published in the Summer catalog of Earnshaw Books. There will be vocabulary lists, tone marks, and characters. Just sayin. Thanks, everyone and drink plenty of water this summer. Keep yourself hydrated! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Season 9 is starting to wind down. For the ninth chengyu of the season, we take Sima Qian's "Record of the Grand Historian" and open to the chapter on Xiang Yu. This time we look at the story of Xiān Fā Zhì Rén 先发制人. In this well-known story from the fall of the Qin Dynasty, we see Xiang Yu and his uncle Xiang Liang seizing the day and the hour to attack Qin forces and bring the dynasty to an end. But before they do that, they first weigh their options by talking with the governor of a local commandery. After one short meeting with this guy, Xiang Liang decides not to wait to see what happens next. He realized 先发制人. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For our eighth CSP offering this season, we open up the Book of Han once again and hear the story behind Jiāo Bīng Bì Bài 骄兵必败. It doesn't always happen this way but the timeline of history is filled with examples of more powerful military forces being defeated on the field of battle by their weaker opponent. Arrogant soldiers must be defeated. Look what happened in Vietnam between 1954 and 1975. When you look into it, even today in our own time, Jiāo bīng bì bài is still happening. On a geopolitical level, this must be one of the hardest lessons to learn. More pugnacious world leaders should consult the Book of Han and ponder these words. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here's another well-worn favorite from the long list of great chengyu's: 磨杵成针 Mó Chǔ Chéng Zhén. The story behind this Chinese Saying stars none other than (one of China's greatest poets) Li Bai. As a youngster, Li Bai chanced upon an old woman, surnamed Wu, who was intent on accomplishing a seemingly impossible (in Li Bai's eyes) task. Don't let any naysayers deter you. Don't fear the impossible. Listen to this quick story and maybe acquire a little bit of inspiration in what you're trying to accomplish. Thanks everyone for listening. If you'd like to donate to the show, you can at: https://teacup.media/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This one may be a bit of a departure from the average CSP episode. The Chinese Saying for this time is Jiǎn Bú Duàn, Lǐ Hái Luàn-剪不断 理还乱. Many Chinese poetry lovers and aficionados may already be familiar with this line from the 10th-century poem 相见欢. Today's CSP offering is more of a history lesson than an introduction to a chengyu but it's worth it to hear it out to the end. The star of this episode is the final ruler of the Southern Tang Dynasty. Like his kindred spirit emperor Huizong of the Northern Song, Li Yu of Southern Tang wasn't much of a ruler. But what he lacked in leadership ability he made up for it with his great literary skills, especially where cí 词 poetry was concerned. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here's a good one from the Three Kingdoms Era in which we feature the famous story of Meng Huo, Zhuge Liang, and Qī Qín Mèng Huò 七擒孟获. Some people just can't accept defeat but in the end, they bow to the inevitable. Cao Pi of Wei thought he'd have some fun and employed Meng Huo to harass his enemy. That didn't go as planned. But Zhuge Liang enjoyed a little fun in the process. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This Chinese Saying, or at least the story, is rather well-known. The story of young Kong Rong and the bowl of pears. Kǒng Róng Ràng Lí 孔融让梨. This perennial children's favorite has a nice moral lesson to teach. When you see young children exhibiting generosity and kindness, many might recall these kids were just like Kong Rong back in the late 2nd Century. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sima Qian strikes again. This time around we look at the well-known saying, Máo Suì Zì Jiàn 毛遂自荐. I tend to favor those 成语's from the Warring States Period. This one concerns the particularly volatile time in the Warring States during the reign of the aggressive and pugnacious Qin King Zhaoxiang. After a disastrous defeat at Changping in 260 BC, the State of Zhao had to seek urgent assistance from Chu. In this familiar story, we see how Mao Sui, at the time, no one of consequence, steps up to offer his help during a dark hour for Zhao. His value is doubted but Mao Sui proved them wrong. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's Chinese Saying is another good and respectable one that comes to us compliments of the Book of Song. It concerns the Northern Song official and literatus Yang Shi. His two main teachers were the famous Cheng Brothers, Cheng Hao 程颢 and Cheng Yi 程颐. Those two were giants in Neo-Confucian philosophy which flourished during the Song. This episode features Chéng Mén Lì Xuě 程门立雪. It's a story of respect and reverence for those teachers who had a profound effect on the direction of our lives. "Standing in the snow in front of the Cheng's gate." This is another in a very long line of stories that would feel right at home in the "Made Me Smile" subreddit. For anyone who has one or more teachers who made a positive difference in their life, this is a good 成语 to describe your feelings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the Season 9 opener, we bring you a good one that takes place in the early years of the Southern Song Dynasty. Qin Hui, the reviled chancellor of Emperor Gaozong is back again, starring in another Chinese Saying, inspired by his historic perfidy. He conspired with his wife, Lady Wang, to have the great hero Yue Fei rubbed out. Their careful conspiracy, discussed in the utmost secrecy in a private spot in their residence, was somehow discovered. This is the story behind Dōng Chuāng Shì Fā 东窗事发. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I wouldn't technically call this a Bonus Episode. We're in between seasons right now. And while Laszlo and Emma are busy brainstorming the chengyu lineup for Season 9, here's a re-recording of one of Laszlo's favorite episodes from the seven-year history of the CSP. How can anyone forget Mr. Nanguo, 南郭先生, who posed as a musician for three years without knowing how to play his instrument? He was a Làn Yú Chōng Shù 滥竽充数. He got the gig because the band only needed one more musician. And it didn't matter who it was. Mr. Nanguo was indiscriminately chosen just to make up the required number. A great story and it comes from the Han Feizi. Season 9 should start, hopefully, by the time the Year of the Dragon rolls around on 2/10/2024. Thanks, everyone. I hope you enjoy this Chinese Saying as much as I do. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As promised and advertised, to cap off another winning season of the Chinese Sayings Podcast, we're proud to feature none other than our very own Emma, presenting a special bonus episode. This time we look at another good one: 鹬蚌相争, 渔翁得利. Yù bàng xiāng zhēng, Yú wēng dé lì. This one comes from the Strategies of the Warring States. It tells the story of the Clam, the Sandpiper, and the fisherman, amidst the backdrop of the early 3rd century BC. This chengyu, like many presented before in the CSP, has plenty of relevance in today's world. Thanks, Emma for all your help this season Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the second time in a row, we feature the Cao Family of Wei in a Chinese Sayings Podcast Episode. This one concerns a story of someone who made the grade late in life. There are a lot of people in history who all throughout their early years and even into their prime, didn't make much of their life. But come their 50's or 60's they achieve greatness. This time we look at Dà Qì Wǎn Chéng 大器晚成 and the story of Cui Yan and his no-good young relative Cui Lin. February 1, 2024, I'll be in London as part of the opening festivities for an exhibition at the London Science Museum. Details here: https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/see-and-do/zimingzhong Thanks everyone for another great season of The Chinese Sayings Podcast. Special episode coming next time featuring Emma. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So much rancor in this world these days. Here's one that describes the feeling of mutual enmity that existed between two giants of their day, Cao Cao and Sun Quan. During the waning years of the Eastern Han Dynasty, three powerful forces jockeyed for position to see who might push the Liu's off the throne and take over to found a new dynasty. There was no reconciliation in the tea leaves. As far as Cao Cao of Wei and Sun Quan of Wu were concerned, that throne was only big enough for one of them. Here's a story from 208 AD that features a useful Chinese Saying born on the eve of the epic Battle of Red Cliffs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We human beings have been called social animals by nature. Some of us love other kinds of people more than others do. But no matter how enamored one might be about another culture, nation, or people, we all tend to stick with our own kind. This 4th Century BC Chinese Saying comes from "The Strategies of the Warring States." and concerns the witty and capable minister to King Wei of Qi and his son King Xuan: Chunyu Kun. King Xuan needed to round up several talented souls to help him manage the Kingdom of Qi, where the stunning and beautiful Shandong Peninsula is located. Answering the king's call, Chunyu Kun gathered a whole bunch of worthy and talented men and schooled the king about how easy it was to find them. This is the story behind Wù Yǐ Lèi Jù 物以类聚. I also mentioned another chengyu that goes along with this episode: yīmíng jīngrén 一鸣惊人. You get that one too, at no extra cost, I might add. Only two more episodes to go for this season. Like last time in Season 7, be looking for un episodio extra especial featuring our hardworking and brilliant 领导 of the 成语研究中心 in Beijing: Emma. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're back for the seventh time this season. This time we're happy to feature once again the great Daoist philosopher who never disappoints. This story about the fish in a rut is a rather well-known one from the Outer Chapters of The Zhuangzi, or Second Book of the Dao as it's sometimes called. Zhuangzi himself stars in today's episode: Hé Zhé Zhī Fù 涸辙之鲋. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the second time this season, we refer to Zuo Qiuming's "Chronicles of Zuo" for another good and useful chengyu. This one takes place in the Spring and Autumn Period and concerns a haughty self-important minister from Jin State stopping for the night at an inn in Ningyi (河南宁邑). He left quite an impression on the innkeeper there but when this simple innkeeper looked more closely at this official, he saw he was Huá Ér Bù Shí 华而不实. Enjoy this ancient story and learn a new Chinese Saying too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Emma's been integral to the CSP for a few seasons now. Here's one more nice chengyu that has loads of utility value. This time Emma herself, introduces the story behind the saying 世外桃源 Shì Wài Táo Yuán. This comes straight from the great Eastern Jin literatus Tao Yuanming. Many of us dreamers have thought about getting away from it all to escape to a utopian paradise. I hope you enjoy the story and Emma's telling of it. We'll be back next season with more useful and interesting Chinese Sayings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Another season, another twenty weeks. Thanks to everyone who tuned in to the CSP and to all of you who have discovered the show since I began posting it to my CHP feed. We end Season 7 with an old one from the Book of Jin 晋书 that contains two venerable co-stars from the Three Kingdoms era. This time we look at the amusing story behind the 巾帼英雄 Jīn Guó Yīng Xióng. The CSP will be back one more time with a bonus episode featuring Emma, the G.M. of the Teacup 成语研究中心. You won't want to miss that. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For our ninth offering of the season here's another golden oldie with a story that goes back almost 2,700 years to the time of the early Spring and Autumn Period. The story concerns the two major states of Qí and Yān and the two minor (and mostly forgotten) states of Lìngzhī and Gūzhú. Two major and extremely consequential characters from those times star in this story. These were Duke Huán of Qí and his advisor Guǎn Zhòng. They led their troops into the mountains on a punitive expedition and ended up getting hopelessly lost in the process. Fortunately, for all concerned, 老马识途 Lǎo Mǎ Shí Tú, and they were able to escape from their dilemma and live on to fight another day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

That's right. The story behind our Chinese Saying for this time is quite recent as Chinese history goes. It takes place merely a thousand years ago, during the time of the Northern Song Dynasty. Just like location, location, location is what matters most in real estate, when it comes to getting ahead in your career, the same often holds true. One's location, relative to the boss, can sometimes make it or break it for you. As this story will show, if you're hoping to climb the ladder of success, sometimes a Jìn Shuǐ Lóu Tái 近水楼台 is all you need. A pavilion or a building near the water? How could that help an ambitious and aspiring bureaucrat in the government? Listen to this story that features the great Northern Song poet, politician, philosopher, writer, military strategist, and scholar-official, Fan Zhongyan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This time around we're reaching all the way back to those fateful years following the fall of the Qin Dynasty and the contentious period of conflict between Liu Bang of Han and Xiang Yu of Chu. As these two rivals battle it out, Liu Bang sought advice from one of his advisors on a plan of action. But as we'll see, that plan is blown out of the water by the great hero of the early Han, Zhang Liang. In order to persuade Liu Bang of the folly of this plan, Zhang Liang will 借箸代筹 Jiè Zhù Dài Chóu, borrow chopsticks to illustrate his strategy. And using these chopsticks as a prop to illustrate his point, Zhang Liang blows this advisor's good idea out of the water. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here comes one more textbook chengyu from the Spring and Autumn Period, as written by Master Zuo Qiuming 左丘明 himself. 厉兵秣马 Lì Bīng Mò Mǎ. Lots of marquee names from that exciting time, including Duke Mu of Qin and Duke Wen of Jin. Be sure to check the website for a handy downloadable cheat sheet listing all the Chinese names and terms. This one has a fair number of characters and place names. The kind of inter-kingdom rivalries that were one of the hallmarks of the Eastern Zhou are front and center in this 7th-century BC tale. This is a good Chinese Saying that has a few useful applications in real life. Thanks for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've reached the midway point in Season 7 with this exciting Chinese Saying from the Record of the Three Kingdoms. The backstory for this chengyu concerns the aftermath of the killing of Guan Yu by the forces of Eastern Wu. The star of this tale is Lu Xun 陆逊 (not 鲁迅). Sun Quan entrusted Lu Xun with an all-important mission. And from this mission to defeat Liu Bei came the saying 忍 辱负重 Rěn Rǔ Fù Zhòng. Sometimes even when you're right, you must suffer ridicule and mockery for the sake of a higher mission that's not yet ripe for execution. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This time we wander back to the 4th century BC to the State of Qi under its great King Wei. There was a handsome resident of Qi named Zou Ji who had a thing about a certain Mr. Xu. From Zou Ji's obsessive concern about his good looks compared to Mr. Xu, it ultimately leads to a fateful meeting with the King of Qi. And from this meeting and the results that followed we get the Chinese Saying 门庭若市 Mén Tíng Ruò Shì. Why was the King of Wei's palace courtyard compared to a crowded marketplace? Listen to the amusing story behind this chengyu and find out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who doesn't know this one? If you never read "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" perhaps you might not know this one. In all the thousands of years of Chinese culture and history, this gem from Luo Guanzhong's novel is very high on the list. Here's a quick retelling of the tale about that day Liu Bei met Zhang Fei and Guan Yu and their sworn brotherhood in Zhang Fei's peach garden. The Táoyuán Jiéyì 桃园结义. This chengyu can only be used when describing the most sincere and honorable of oaths taken to achieve some common cause. Any Romance of the Three Kingdoms lovers should go groove on John Zhu's Three Kingdoms Podcast http://www.3kingdomspodcast.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this second installment of the 7th Season, Laszlo once refers to "The Mengzi" for this short tale of the foolish farmer who wasn't satisfied with nature's pace. This time we look at 揠苗助长 Yà Miáo Zhù Zhǎng. Let's face it, some things in life take time, especially when the natural order of things is involved. This farmer back in the ancient Song State thought he had developed a winning technique to speed the growth of his fields. It didn't turn out like he expected. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy New Year everyone!! We begin 2023 with a brand new season of The Chinese Sayings Podcast. For the Season 7 opener, we're going with another one that came straight from The Chronicles of Zuo: Chún Wáng Chǐ Hán 唇亡齿寒. If the lips are gone, the teeth get cold. Those of you familiar with the Korean War might recall Chairman Mao using this one. 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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices