Chinese Idiom: 不可救药 (Bu Ke Jiu Yao)
English Translations: Incapable of Being Cured
pīn yīn: bù kě jiù yào
Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes a person who is so deeply entrenched in wrongdoing or problematic behavior that they are beyond redemption or correction. It implies that the situation is hopeless and cannot be saved.
Historical Source: The Book of Songs (《诗经 · 大雅 · 板》)
Idiom Story:
The idiom “不可救药” comes from a poem in The Book of Songs, attributed to the statesman Fan Bo during the reign of King Li of Zhou. At that time, King Li, who favored corrupt officials and neglected virtuous ministers, ruled with cruelty and despotism. Despite Fan Bo’s sincere and earnest advice to the king, he was mocked and ridiculed by the king’s corrupt court.
Fan Bo expressed his frustration and disappointment in this poem, which is divided into eight sections:
- The first section describes the abnormal and short-sighted political situation as the reason for writing the poem.
- The second section discusses how the state’s disorder is due to the lack of public support for its policies.
- The third and fourth sections criticize the corrupt officials for ignoring good advice and being beyond redemption.
- The fifth and sixth sections highlight the officials’ disregard for the people’s suffering and the ease with which the good people can be guided.
- The seventh section subtly indicates that King Li is abandoned by his supporters.
- The eighth section warns of the divine retribution that must be feared and respected.
The poem’s fourth section is:
天之方虐，无然谑谑。
老夫灌灌，小子骄骄。
匪我言耄，尔用忧谑。
多将熵熵，不可救药。
Translation and Explanation:
The lines can be translated as:
“Heaven is harsh, do not be so frivolous. I, an old man, am earnest, but you, young ones, are arrogant. It is not that I am old and foolish; rather, you mock my sincere words. Your evil deeds are so severe, it is beyond cure.”
In these lines, Fan Bo laments the king’s harsh rule and the mockery he faces from corrupt officials. He expresses that their actions are so extreme and unrepentant that they cannot be remedied. The idiom “不可救药” thus emerged from this context, reflecting the idea of being beyond redemption due to severe and persistent wrongdoing.
