Chinese Idiom: 枯木朽株 (Ku Mu Xiu Zhu)
English Translation: Withered Wood and Decayed Stump
pīn yīn: kù mù xiǔ zhū
Idiom Meaning: This idiom metaphorically refers to individuals or things that are not valued and are of little use; it is also used to describe the elderly, the weak, or forces that have become ineffective. 朽 (xiǔ) means decayed or rotten, and 株 (zhū) refers to a tree stump above ground.
Historical Source: Book of Han (汉书) – Biography of Sima Xiangru (司马相如)
Idiom Story:
Sima Xiangru, a famous poet and essayist during the Western Han Dynasty, gained the recognition of Emperor Wu after presenting his works and was appointed as a langguan (a low-ranking official). During the early Western Han period, the rulers favored hunting as a pastime. Sima often accompanied Emperor Wu on these hunting trips.
One time, while accompanying the emperor to Changyang Palace, an ancient hunting ground, Emperor Wu preferred to pursue wild beasts alone, particularly enjoying the chase of large animals such as bears and wild boars. Concerned for the emperor’s safety, Sima Xiangru composed a memorial, gently advising him to refrain from such dangerous pursuits. This memorial became known as “Jian Lie Shu” (谏猎疏).
The beginning of his memorial states: “I have heard that in the world, among all things, there are those of the same kind but with different abilities. For example, among humans, the strongest is Wu Huo from the Warring States period, who could carry a cauldron; the fastest is Qing Ji, son of King Liao of Wu, known for his incredible speed; the bravest includes Meng Ben and Yu from the Qin Dynasty, who were unafraid of dragons in water or tigers on land.”
Sima further explained that if the emperor enjoyed hunting in treacherous places and suddenly encountered a ferocious beast, the shock could cause the beast to charge unexpectedly. If this happened, even the greatest abilities of Wu Huo or Feng Meng would be rendered useless, and even a withered tree or decayed stump could become a hazard in such a scenario. He warned that enemies could emerge unexpectedly from below the wheels of the royal carriage, leading to grave danger.
This story emphasizes the idea that even seemingly insignificant elements (like withered wood and decayed stumps) can pose great threats in certain situations, illustrating the need for caution and awareness in all endeavors.
