Chinese Idiom: 老马识途 (Lao Ma Shi Tu)
English Translation: The old horse knows the way.
pīn yīn: lǎo mǎ shí tú
Idiom Meaning: This idiom means that an experienced person is often able to solve problems and navigate challenges due to their familiarity with the situation.
Historical Source: “Han Feizi · Shuo Lin Shang” (韩非子·说林上)
Idiom Story:
In the spring of 663 BC, the ruler of the Qi state, Duke Huan of Qi (齐桓公), responded to a request from the Yan state to repel an invasion by the Shan Rong tribe. Accompanied by his ministers Guan Zhong (管仲) and Xi Peng (隰朋), Duke Huan led a military campaign against the invaders.
After defeating the Shan Rong, the Qi army pursued the king of the Guizhu state (孤竹国, present-day Qian’an, Hebei) who fled into the deep mountains. Following a fierce battle with the Guizhu forces, the king escaped into the mountains. The Qi troops, searching for him, became lost in a desolate wilderness. With no water sources in sight and the soldiers suffering from severe thirst, the situation grew dire.
Xi Peng suggested a novel approach to find water by looking for ant nests. He observed that ants build their nests near water sources and proposed that the soldiers dig around these nests to uncover water. Following this advice, the soldiers discovered water and managed to alleviate their dire situation.
After this grueling campaign, the Qi army returned home, but by the time they made their way back, the landscape had changed from spring to winter, leaving them disoriented in a vast desert. The troops became chaotic, and Duke Huan urgently needed someone to guide them out.
At this critical moment, Guan Zhong suggested using old horses as guides, noting that an old horse would remember the paths it had traveled before. Duke Huan agreed with this idea and selected several old horses to lead the way. The soldiers followed the horses, which successfully navigated them back to their destination.
This story of relying on the wisdom of experienced old horses gave rise to the idiom “老马识途,” highlighting how experience can guide one through difficult situations.
