Chinese Idiom: 舍本求末 (She Ben Qiu Mo)
English Translation: Abandon the root to pursue the branch
pīn yīn: shě běn qiú mò
Idiom Meaning: This idiom metaphorically signifies the act of neglecting fundamental principles or important matters in favor of trivial details or secondary issues. It criticizes a lack of focus on what is essential and warns against misplacing priorities.
Historical Source: From Strategies of the Warring States: Qi Strategies, Volume Four.
Idiom Story:
During the Warring States period, Zhao Huaiwen Wang (King Huai of Zhao) had a wife named Zhao Wei Hou, who was known for her enlightened and capable governance. She assisted her husband in managing the state effectively, earning her considerable respect among the feudal lords.
One day, King Xian of Qi sent envoys with a royal edict to inquire about Zhao Wei Hou’s well-being. Upon receiving the edict, she did not even glance at it but instead asked the envoys, “How was this year’s harvest in your country? Were there any disasters? Are the common people free from illness and suffering? How is King Qi?”
The envoys from Qi were dissatisfied with her response and remarked, “Your Majesty, I came here specifically to convey greetings from King Qi. According to protocol, you should first greet him before inquiring about the harvest and the people. This seems to elevate the trivial while lowering the esteemed!”
Zhao Wei Hou patiently explained, “Your perspective is mistaken. Think about it: if there are no good harvests, how can the people survive? And without the people, what is the point of having a monarch?”
Emphasizing her point, Zhao Wei Hou continued, “Therefore, in this matter, asking about the essentials before the trivial is more reasonable!” This statement highlighted the folly of adhering strictly to formalities while ignoring fundamental issues.
As a result of this incident, Zhao Wei Hou’s statement evolved into the idiom “舍本求末” (abandon the root to pursue the branch), serving as a reminder to focus on the important rather than get lost in the minutiae. This story illustrates the importance of prioritizing core values and issues in governance and life.
