Chinese Idiom: 安然无恙 (An Ran Wu Yang)
English Translation: Safe and sound
pīn yīn: ān rán wú yàng
Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes a situation where everything is normal and without any harm or trouble. It conveys a sense of peace and security, indicating that one is free from disasters, illness, or worries.
Historical Source: 《战国策·齐策四》 (Strategies of the Warring States, Qi Strategies 4).
Idiom Story:
During the Warring States period, Zhao Huiwen Wang‘s wife, Zhao Wei Hou, was a notable and enlightened woman. She played a crucial role in assisting her husband in governing the state effectively, earning her significant respect among the feudal lords.
One day, the King of Qi, Qi Xiang Wang, sent envoys to Zhao Wei Hou with a royal decree and greetings. Upon receiving the decree, she did not even glance at it but instead asked the Qi envoys, “岁亦无恙耶?民亦无恙耶?王亦无恙耶?” This translates to, “How was the harvest this year? Are the people well? Is the king in good health?”
The Qi envoys were displeased by her questions. They replied, “Your Highness, I was sent by the King to convey his greetings, and according to etiquette, you should first inquire about the King before asking about the harvest or the people. Your current order of questioning seems to elevate the common to the expense of the royal!”
In response, Zhao Wei Hou patiently explained, “Not so. If there is no good harvest, how can the people live well? And if the people do not thrive, how can there be a king? Therefore, my questions make sense. To neglect the fundamentals and focus on the trivial is foolish.”
Her reasoning emphasized that the well-being of the people and the harvest are foundational to the king’s stability. From this story, the phrase “岁亦无恙耶?民亦无恙耶?王亦无恙耶?” was later simplified to the idiom “安然无恙”, embodying the idea of being safe and sound in all aspects.
