Chinese Idiom: 老骥伏枥 (Lao Ji Fu Li)
English Translation: The old steed lies in the stable
pīn yīn: lǎo jì fú lì
Idiom Meaning: This idiom symbolizes that a person with ambition continues to strive throughout their life, and even in old age, their determination remains strong.
Historical Source: Cao Cao’s poem “Bu Chu Xia Men Xing” (步出夏门行), particularly from the fourth poem titled “Gui Sui Shou” (龟虽寿).
Idiom Story:
Cao Cao (曹操), courtesy name Mengde (孟德), was a renowned military strategist, politician, and poet during the Three Kingdoms period. His lifelong goal was to unify China and end the chaotic wars among the warlords in the late Han Dynasty.
In 207 AD, after a significant victory over the warlord Yuan Shao at the Battle of Guandu, Cao Cao pressed on to attack the Wuhuan tribe in the north, known for their resistance against the Han forces. Despite being 53 years old, Cao Cao displayed remarkable vigor, leading his troops with enthusiasm. During his return journey, he ascended Jieshi Mountain (碣石山), overlooking the vast ocean, and composed the poem “Guan Cang Hai” (观沧海), reflecting on the victories he had achieved.
During this campaign, Cao Cao also faced personal loss when his key strategist, Guo Jia (郭嘉), passed away at the young age of 38. This deeply saddened Cao Cao, who lamented to those around him about the untimely death of Guo Jia, expressing regret for not being able to entrust his future plans to such a talented individual after the wars ended.
In remembrance of Guo Jia and to express his own aspirations, Cao Cao wrote the poem “Bu Chu Xia Men Xing · Gui Sui Shou.” The poem conveys a powerful message about perseverance and ambition. The lines “老骥伏枥，志在千里” translate to “The old steed lies in the stable, yet aspires to travel a thousand miles.” This metaphor emphasizes that even in old age, a person’s ambition and desire to achieve great things remain undiminished.
Cao Cao’s reflections highlight a fundamental truth: life may come with limitations, but the spirit of ambition can endure, regardless of age. As a result, the idiom “老骥伏枥” has come to represent the undying aspirations of those who strive to achieve their goals throughout their lives.
