Chinese Idiom: 不念旧恶 (Bu Nian Jiu E)
English Translation: Not Holding onto Past Grievances
pīn yīn: bù niàn jiù è
Idiom Meaning: Refers to the act of not holding onto or remembering past wrongs or personal grievances. It emphasizes forgiveness and the willingness to let go of past conflicts.
Historical Source: The Analects of Confucius (《论语·公冶长》)
Idiom Story:
The idiom “不念旧恶” (not holding onto past grievances) originates from the teachings of Confucius, who praised the virtues of Bo Yi and Shu Qi for their ability to forgive and not hold onto past grievances. This sentiment was expressed in The Analects of Confucius: “Bo Yi and Shu Qi did not hold onto past grievances, so their bitterness was rare.”
The story of Bo Yi and Shu Qi is recounted in Sima Qian’s Records of the Grand Historian (《史记·伯夷列传》). Bo Yi and Shu Qi were the sons of the Duke of Guozhu, who intended to make Shu Qi the heir. After their father’s death, Bo Yi took the position of the elder brother and refused to become the ruler, stating that it was their father’s will. Both brothers then left their homeland.
When they heard that the Zhou Dynasty’s ruler, King Wu, was a worthy leader, they went to seek refuge with him. However, by the time they arrived, King Wu had already died, and his son, King Wen, was preparing to overthrow the tyrant King Zhou. Bo Yi and Shu Qi criticized King Wen’s actions, arguing that it was not filial to start a war while the body of their father was not yet buried. Despite their protests, they were eventually driven away.
After the Zhou Dynasty was established, Bo Yi and Shu Qi refused to accept the Zhou’s food or favor and chose to live in isolation on Mount Shouyang, surviving on wild vegetables. They composed a song expressing their sorrow and sense of injustice. In their song, they lamented the passing of the golden ages of ancient rulers and their own unfortunate fate.
Sima Qian, in his writing, reflects on their situation and questions whether their sense of grievance was justified or not. He highlights their steadfast adherence to their principles, even in the face of starvation and death, making their story a powerful example of personal integrity and the difficulty of truly letting go of past wrongs.
This story and the subsequent interpretation by Sima Qian led to the idiom “不念旧恶,” which embodies the idea of not holding onto past grievances and the virtue of forgiveness.
