Chinese Idiom: 身败名裂 (Shen Bai Ming Lie)
English Translation: Suffer personal ruin and a shattered reputation.
pīn yīn: shēn bài míng liè
Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to a person’s downfall, resulting in the loss of their position and a tarnished reputation.
Historical Source: He Xin Lang (《贺新郎》) by Xin Qiji.
Idiom Story:
In 1203, internal strife arose within the Jin dynasty, creating a favorable opportunity for the Southern Song dynasty to reclaim lost territories in the north. However, the complacent Southern Song rulers had no plans for a northern expedition and instead intensified the persecution of officials advocating for resistance against the Jin.
Xin Qiji’s cousin, Xin Maojia, who had served in northern territories near the Jin-controlled regions and was well-versed in their military and political situation, was instead demoted to Guilin (present-day Guilin, Guangxi). Xin Qiji, then living in Qianshan, was deeply saddened by his cousin’s inability to contribute to the recovery of the central plains. To express his feelings, he wrote the poem He Xin Lang to bid farewell to his cousin as he headed to his new post.
In the poem, the first part references the stories of Wang Zhaojun leaving her homeland and Dai Wei returning to Chen, expressing his indignation at Xin Maojia’s demotion. The second part compares himself to historical figures such as Li Ling and Jing Ke, revealing his unwavering resolve to resist the Jin and reclaim the homeland. A notable excerpt from the poem is:
“将军百战身名裂。向河梁回头万里，故人长绝。
易水萧萧西风冷，满座衣冠似雪。正壮士，悲歌未彻。
啼鸟还知如许恨，料不啼清泪长啼血。
谁共我，醉明月?”
(Translation: “The general has fought a hundred battles, yet his name is shattered. Looking back toward the river, my old friends are forever lost.
The Yi River is cold in the west wind, and the audience is dressed in white like snow. A true warrior’s song has not yet ended.
If the birds could know such hatred, they would surely weep blood from their tears.
Who will drink with me under the bright moon?”)
In this stanza, Xin Qiji laments how Li Ling, despite his military experience, ultimately succumbed to defeat and betrayal. Reflecting on the past, he recalls the farewell wine for his friend Su Wu upon his return from captivity, emphasizing the profound sense of loss and longing that accompanies such separations. The mention of the Yi River, where Jing Ke was sent off, serves as a powerful symbol of heroism and tragedy.
From the line “将军百战身名裂,” which illustrates the general’s ruin and loss of reputation, the idiom “身败名裂” emerged, encapsulating the notion of personal and reputational downfall.
