Chinese Idiom: 点石成金 (Dian Shi Cheng Jin)
English Translation: Turning Stones into Gold
pīn yīn: diǎn shí chéng jīn
Idiom Meaning: This idiom metaphorically refers to the ability to transform something worthless into something valuable, or it can also describe the act of improving someone else’s poor writing into something good.
Historical Source: Broad Talks on Assistance (广谈助)
Idiom Story:
Once upon a time, there was a devout Daoist who lived in extreme poverty, unable to afford even candles and incense. Nevertheless, he faithfully worshiped the Daoist immortal Lü Dongbin every day, offering prayers at his altar. Moved by the man’s sincerity, Lü Dongbin decided to visit him one day, riding on a cloud.
When Lü Dongbin arrived, he saw that the man’s home was barren, with only a few broken pottery vessels scattered around. Feeling pity for the man, he pointed at a rock in the yard and said, “This rock will become gold if you desire it.” Instantly, the rock shimmered with golden light, transformed into gold. Lü Dongbin then asked, “Would you like this piece of gold?”
The man, startled, prostrated himself and repeatedly said, “No, no!” Lü Dongbin was delighted and praised the man, saying, “Your sincerity in worshiping Daoism, and your lack of greed for wealth, impresses me. I shall teach you the true way!”
However, the man hesitated and replied, “That’s not what I meant; I actually want your finger that turned the rock into gold.” His greedy nature was revealed, showing that he was not satisfied with just gold but desired the source of that transformation.
Realizing this man was greedy and insatiable, Lü Dongbin vanished without a trace. From this mythological story, the idiom “点石成金” emerged, highlighting the themes of transformation and the dangers of greed.
