Chinese Idiom: 抱薪救火 (Bao Xin Jiu Huo)
English Translation: Adding Fuel to the Fire
pīn yīn: bào xīn jiù huǒ
Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to using the wrong methods to eliminate a disaster, ultimately making the situation worse.
Historical Source: Shiji (《史记》) by Sima Qian
Idiom Story:
During the Warring States Period, the state of Wei, located in the central plains and adjacent to the powerful Qin state, became a battleground as various states sought to unify and conquer each other. As Qin gradually grew stronger, especially under King Zhao of Qin, they adopted the strategy of wary alliances and aggressive warfare, often attacking neighboring states.
In 275 BCE, the Qin army advanced to the capital city of Wei, Daliang, compelling King Wei to concede some land in exchange for peace. However, in 273 BCE, the Qin forces launched another invasion. The Wei general, Duan Ganzi, terrified by the approaching army, proposed to King Wei that they surrender more territory—specifically, the Nanyang region (now parts of Henan)—to Qin in a bid for peace.
At that moment, Su Dai, the younger brother of the famous strategist Su Qin and an advocate for a united front against Qin, was in Wei. He cautioned King Wei against Duan Ganzi’s suggestion, arguing that relinquishing land would ultimately lead to the state’s demise. Su Dai illustrated his point with a metaphor: “Giving land to Qin is like holding firewood to put out a fire; as long as the firewood exists, the fire will never go out.”
Despite Su Dai’s warning, King Wei chose to heed Duan Ganzi’s advice and surrendered the Nanyang region to Qin to end the conflict. However, this concession only fueled Qin’s ambitions; they continued to seize more territory from Wei over the next forty years. By 225 BCE, the state of Wei was finally destroyed by Qin.
This story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of attempting to address problems with inadequate solutions, highlighting how such actions can exacerbate the very issues one seeks to resolve. The idiom emphasizes the importance of choosing effective strategies to confront challenges rather than making decisions that may lead to greater difficulties.