Chinese Idiom: 抱残守缺 (Bao Can Shou Que)
English Translation: Clinging to the Old and Incomplete
pīn yīn: bào cán shǒu quē
Idiom Meaning: Originally meant to cling to outdated or broken things, refusing to let go. It is now commonly used to describe a conservative mindset that resists new ideas or developments.
Historical Source: Wenshi Tongyi (《文史通义》) by Qing dynasty scholar Zhang Xuecheng.
Idiom Story:
During the Western Han Dynasty, Liu Xin, the son of the renowned scholar Liu Xiang, served as a Yellow Gate Attendant, a position within the imperial court. Liu Xin, along with his father, worked on the proofreading and organization of ancient texts, engaging in academic research. In the course of his studies, he came across a rare ancient text, the Zuo Zhuan (左传), a classical work that he found to be invaluable.
Recognizing its significance, Liu Xin proposed the establishment of an academic office dedicated to the Zuo Zhuan and other ancient texts. However, when this suggestion reached Emperor Ai (Liu Xin), he summoned the experts of the Five Classics to discuss the implications of Liu Xin’s proposal. To Liu Xin’s dismay, the scholars rejected the idea outright and were unwilling to engage in any discourse about the Zuo Zhuan or its relevance.
Frustrated by the narrow-mindedness of these scholars, Liu Xin penned a letter of criticism addressed to the chief of the Academy, expressing his discontent. In his letter, he described the scholars as lacking knowledge and being ignorant, trapped in their outdated beliefs and unwilling to pursue new knowledge. He stated that their fear of being exposed for their personal biases led them to cling to the old and incomplete, thereby resisting any exploration of new ideas.
Liu Xin’s candid remarks caused outrage among the scholars, resulting in a backlash against him, including slander and criticism. As a consequence of this animosity, he eventually chose to resign from his position and took a minor post in a local government.
The story illustrates the dangers of conservatism and the refusal to adapt to new ideas, highlighting the importance of open-mindedness and the pursuit of knowledge. This idiom serves as a warning against clinging to outdated beliefs at the expense of progress.
