Chinese Idiom: 不足与谋 (Bu Zu Yu Mou)
English Translation: Not Worth Consulting
pīn yīn: bù zú yǔ móu
Idiom Meaning: Indicates that someone is not worth discussing or planning with; implies that the person lacks the capability or value to be considered in important decisions.
Historical Source: Records of the Grand Historian (《史记·项羽本纪》)
Idiom Story:
After the fall of the Qin Dynasty, the powerful warlord Xiang Yu and the ambitious Liu Bang quickly came into conflict. Liu Bang wanted to claim the Qin territories for himself, but Xiang Yu was concerned about Liu Bang’s intentions and did not want him to gain power. Despite having the upper hand, Xiang Yu feared that Liu Bang would challenge him for supremacy. To resolve their differences, Liu Bang visited Xiang Yu at Hongmen (modern-day Lin Tong, Shaanxi) in an attempt to reassure him of his peaceful intentions. This visit is famously known as the “Hongmen Feast.”
At the feast, Xiang Yu’s advisor, Fan Zeng, urged Xiang Yu to kill Liu Bang to eliminate a potential threat. However, Xiang Yu, known for his straightforward and somewhat naive nature, chose not to follow this advice. He preferred to maintain a sense of honor and avoid unnecessary bloodshed, despite the advice of his trusted advisor. Xiang Yu’s decision was seen by some as a failure to act decisively.
During the feast, Liu Bang managed to escape under the pretense of needing to use the restroom. After Liu Bang’s departure, Zhang Liang, Liu Bang’s strategist, came to thank Xiang Yu on Liu Bang’s behalf. He presented gifts: a pair of white jade plates for Xiang Yu and a pair of jade cups for Fan Zeng. Upon receiving the gifts, Xiang Yu placed the jade plates on his seat, while Fan Zeng threw the jade cups on the ground and smashed them with his sword, expressing his frustration.
Fan Zeng exclaimed, “唉!竖子不足与谋!” meaning “This young man is not worth consulting!” He believed that Liu Bang would ultimately be the one to challenge Xiang Yu and that they would eventually fall under Liu Bang’s control.
This expression of frustration led to the idiom “不足与谋,” which means that someone is not worth consulting or planning with due to their inadequacy or lack of significance.
