Chinese Idiom: 小心翼翼 (Xiao Xin Yi Yi)
English Translation: With the utmost care and caution
pīn yīn: xiǎo xīn yì yì
Idiom Meaning: Originally, this idiom described an attitude of respectful solemnity. Nowadays, it is commonly used to describe actions that are carried out with extreme caution and carefulness, ensuring that no mistakes are made. The term “翼翼” signifies a demeanor of seriousness and prudence.
Historical Source: “The Book of Songs” (诗经·大雅·大明)
Idiom Story
During the late Shang Dynasty, the last king, King Zhou, was notorious for his indulgence in debauchery and cruelty. In response, King Wu of Zhou allied with eight western regional lords to launch a military campaign against King Zhou. In the decisive battle at Muye, King Wu successfully overthrew the Shang Dynasty and established the Zhou Dynasty, with its capital at Haojing, marking the beginning of the Western Zhou period.
In the early years of the Western Zhou Dynasty, the ruling nobility documented this significant historical event to serve as a cautionary tale for future generations. This led to the creation of “Da Ming,” one of the epic poems of the Zhou tribe. The poem consists of eight chapters with a total of fifty-eight lines. The first chapter outlines the Zhou rulers’ belief in the mandate of heaven, stating that divine favor is granted to the virtuous. The second chapter recounts the virtues of King Wu’s grandparents, who earned the mandate to give birth to King Wen. The third chapter praises King Wen’s benevolent governance, which garnered the allegiance of surrounding states. Chapters four, five, and six describe how King Wen was divinely blessed with a spouse who bore King Wu, who then received the mandate to overthrow King Zhou. The seventh and eighth chapters depict the battle at Muye.
Within this poem, there is praise for King Wen’s serious and devout character, expressed in the lines: “维此文王，小心翼翼” (Wéi cǐ wén wáng, xiǎo xīn yì yì). This phrase highlights King Wen’s respectful and cautious demeanor. Over time, “小心翼翼” was adopted as an idiom, initially conveying an attitude of respectful solemnity. In contemporary usage, it describes actions carried out with meticulous care and caution, leaving no room for errors.
