Chinese Idiom: 三人成虎 (San Ren Cheng Hu)
English Translation: Three Men Make a Tiger
pīn yīn: sān rén chéng hǔ
Idiom Meaning: This idiom illustrates that if a false rumor is repeated often enough, it can be believed as true.
Historical Source: Strategies of the Warring States (战国策), specifically the strategies of the state of Wei.
Idiom Story: During the Warring States period, the various states were frequently at war with each other. To ensure adherence to treaties, states often exchanged hostages. One year, the state of Wei and the state of Zhao signed a peace treaty, and the King of Wei decided to send his son to Zhao’s capital, Handan, as a hostage. He appointed his minister Pang Cong to accompany the prince.
Pang Cong knew the king’s tendency to be easily swayed by rumors and was concerned that his enemies would take advantage of his absence to spread falsehoods about him. Before departing, Pang Cong approached the king and asked, “If someone told Your Majesty that a tiger was spotted on the street, would you believe it?” The king replied, “I would not believe it.”
Pang Cong then asked, “What if a second person reported seeing a tiger on the street?” The king said, “I would begin to have doubts.” Pang Cong continued, “And if a third person also claimed there was a tiger on the street, would you believe it?” The king answered, “If everyone says so, I would have no choice but to believe it.”
Pang Cong then sighed and said, “Everyone knows that tigers do not roam the streets. But if three people say there is a tiger, it becomes believable. Handan is much farther from Daliang than the palace is from the street. I fear that there will be more than three people speaking ill of me in my absence. Please judge carefully, Your Majesty.” The king nodded and reassured Pang Cong, “I understand, do not worry.”
Pang Cong then left for Zhao with the prince. As Pang Cong had anticipated, once he was gone, people began to slander him before the king. The king, influenced by these repeated accusations, eventually believed them. When the prince returned from Zhao, the king refused to see Pang Cong again.
Thus, the idiom “三人成虎” (Three Men Make a Tiger) came to signify how repeated rumors, no matter how unfounded, can eventually be accepted as truth.
