Chinese Idiom: 拒谏饰非 (Ju Jian Shi Fei)
English Translation: Rejecting Advice and Covering Up Mistakes
pīn yīn: jù jiàn shì fēi
Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes a person who refuses to accept others’ honest advice and instead tries to hide or justify their own mistakes. “谏” (jiàn) means to advise or admonish, “饰” (shì) means to cover up or conceal, and “非” (fēi) refers to mistakes or wrongdoing.
Historical Source: Xunzi: Cheng Xiang (《荀子·成相》) written by the philosopher Xunzi.
Idiom Story:
During the late Warring States period, Xunzi, also known as Xun Kuang, was a prominent philosopher and educator from the state of Zhao. He traveled and studied in various states, including Qi, Qin, Zhao, and Chu. Xunzi lectured at the Jixia Academy in Qi and later served as a magistrate in Lanling (modern-day Lanling County, Shandong) under the Chancellor of Chu, Lord Chunshen. He spent his final years writing and reflecting on his ideas.
Xunzi’s work involved critiquing and summarizing the philosophical thoughts of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, contributing significantly to the development of ancient Chinese materialist philosophy. His book, Xunzi, which consists of 32 chapters, covers various topics including natural philosophy, ethics, political thought, and logic.
In the chapter Cheng Xiang (成相), Xunzi discusses the principles of governing a country and the role of a ruler. He warns, “拒谏饰非，愚而上同，国必祸,” which means, “Rejecting others’ honest advice and covering up one’s mistakes while foolishly conforming to those above will inevitably bring disaster to the state.”
This phrase, “拒谏饰非,” was later extracted from this context and became an idiom, emphasizing the dangers of not listening to honest criticism and trying to conceal one’s faults, particularly in leadership and governance.
