Chinese Idiom: 天诛地灭 (Tian Zhu Di Mie)
English Translation: Condemned by Heaven and Earth
pīn yīn: tiān zhū dì miè
Idiom Meaning: This idiom is used to describe someone who is so evil and malevolent that they deserve to be punished by both heaven and earth.
Historical Source: Casual Notes from Kan Shan Pavilion (看山阁闲笔)
Idiom Story
In ancient times, there was a county magistrate who was about to take office in a new location. To show that he was fair, incorruptible, and upright, he personally wrote a couplet. The upper line read: “If I take a single coin, may I be condemned by heaven and earth,” and the lower line read: “If I show favoritism, may I become a male thief or a female prostitute.” He then had craftsmen make two gold-embossed wooden plaques with the couplet, and upon taking office, he hung them on both sides of the county office as a pledge to the local people.
When the couplet was displayed, the townspeople gathered to see it, and they were delighted, saying, “At last, we have a just and honest official.”
However, contrary to everyone’s expectations, shortly after taking office, the magistrate began accepting bribes more frequently than ever. People would come to his office day and night, offering gold, silver, and silk, regardless of the amount, and he accepted everything without hesitation. Wealthy bullies and local ruffians who oppressed the common people would bribe him to escape punishment, and he would always comply.
As a result, the county became even more miserable than before, with widespread complaints and suffering. Eventually, some people could not stand it any longer and confronted the magistrate, saying, “Sir, have you forgotten the couplet you hung?”
The magistrate, completely unashamed and feeling quite smug, replied, “I have not betrayed my vow. The wealth I have gained is far more than a single coin, and the favoritism I have shown is far more than a single instance.”
Suddenly, the people realized that this magistrate, who was deeply corrupt and immoral, had the audacity to falsely proclaim himself as just and honest while swearing such serious oaths. Truly, such a person deserved to be condemned by heaven and earth.
