Chinese Idiom: 物以类聚 (Wu Yi Lei Ju)
English Translation: Things of the same kind come together
pīn yīn: wù yǐ lèi jù
Idiom Meaning: This idiom originally referred to how various items group together by category. Today, it is commonly used to imply that people with similar traits or morals, especially those of ill repute, tend to associate with one another.
Historical Source: Zhan Guo Ce (《战国策·齐策三》).
Idiom Story:
In the Warring States period, there was a renowned progressive thinker named Chunyu Kun from the state of Qi. Despite his humble beginnings, he was eloquent and gained the trust of King Wei of Qi. He advocated for appointing talented individuals based on their abilities rather than their status. After King Wei’s death, Chunyu Kun served King Xuan of Qi, who was known for welcoming talented individuals into his court.
One day, Chunyu Kun recommended seven capable men to King Xuan, who was astonished by the number. He expressed his skepticism, noting that finding a true sage was rare, akin to gathering all the sages together in one place, and wondered how it was possible for Chunyu Kun to recommend so many in a single day.
Chunyu Kun replied respectfully and insightfully, using an analogy to explain his perspective. He observed that birds tend to flock with their own species and that wild animals also travel together with others of their kind. He emphasized that if one were to look for specific herbs in the right places, such as the right mountains, one could find them in abundance. He likened his ability to recommend talented individuals to easily fetching water from a river—it is a simple task when you know where to look.
Thus, Chunyu Kun’s response highlights the idea that similar qualities attract each other, underscoring the broader notion that individuals with shared values, whether good or bad, naturally congregate together.
