Idiom-syncracies

One could be forgiven for thinking that the phrase 唇亡齿寒 (chún wáng chǐ hán) “once the lips are gone, the teeth will feel cold” is designed to provide oral health guidance to China’s population. However, periodontitis is not the focus of this phrase. Instead, this saying is designed to teach people about the reality and importance of interdependence and interconnectivity in this world. It has been used to advocate for the importance of peaceful relations between neighboring countries. Moreover, it has been used to advocate for the relative importance of taking a long-term focus rather than pursuing short-term benefits. Much as a regular habit of teeth brushing, flossing, and mouthwash can improve one’s long-term social life immensely, good neighborly relations can improve one’s long-term security and stability.　

If the idea of teeth feeling chilly within a lip-less mouth sounds odd to you, then 桃李不言,下自成蹊 (táo lǐ bù yán, xià zì chénɡ xī) might sound even stranger. This phrase is typically translated as “peach and plum trees do not speak, yet there is a path leading to them.” On the surface this cryptic saying seems like something that Paul McCartney might have written during his most hedonistic depths of fantasy-laden lyric writing. However, this saying is actually rather beautiful, and comes from ancient texts which promoted good deeds. The idea is surprisingly simple. Despite being unable to directly communicate, people are attracted to fruit trees because of what they offer, their blossoms and fruits. In other words, people are naturally drawn to the reality of good deeds more than they are attracted to promises or assertions of good intent. This phrase finds some parallels in the English language saying “actions speak louder than words.”　

There is something rather splendid about the idea of looking at a humble fruit tree from a position of humility rather than superiority, understanding that without ever uttering a single word, the fruit tree attracts people from all over, who respect it for the generous and natural gifts that it provides. Even the most hardened Beatles fan must admit that such a lesson is more profound than anything uncovered in a yellow submarine.　

With such sage advice embedded so deeply within the language, one would expect that every single Chinese person would be perfectly behaved in every way. However, we would be foolish to expect this, as explained by the saying 水至清则无鱼 (shuǐ zhì qīng zé wú yú), or “fish cannot survive in absolutely clear water.” Despite its literal connotations, this phrase is not designed as advice for aquaculturists. Instead, this saying is designed to remind people that they should not set perfection as the standard by which they judge others. To be human is to be imperfect, and thus we must treat others with tolerance, forgiveness and respect. Indeed, the phrase is felt to further explain the fact that if we are too judgemental towards others then our relationships with them will suffer. Whether it is the danger of being easy prey to a passing heron or the lack of plankton to eat, none of us wish to be a lonely fish swimming in perfectly clear water.　

The American author Mark Twain is often credited as saying that “there is no such thing as an original idea.” Yet, in a rapidly changing world we often seem to forget the hard-learned lessons of the past. Thankfully, the Chinese language keeps many of these lessons alive in its sayings, idioms and proverbs. Perhaps we should all take some time to learn a few of them, after all, 前事不忘,后事之师 (qián shì bù wàng, hòu shì zhī shī) – past experiences, if not forgotten, are a guide for the future.