Chinese Idiom: 以邻为壑 (Yi Lin Wei He)
English Translation: Use Neighboring Regions as a Ditch
pīn yīn: yǐ lín wéi hè
Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to the act of transferring one’s own problems or troubles onto others, causing them to suffer instead.
Historical Source: Mencius (《孟子·告子下》)
Idiom Story
During the Warring States period, there was a man named Bai Gui who claimed to be an expert in flood control. He asserted that his flood management skills were superior to those of Yu the Great, a legendary figure renowned for his flood control methods. Bai Gui’s approach involved constructing dikes to block and divert water. However, this often led to success in one area while causing floods in another, including neighboring regions.
One day, Mencius confronted Bai Gui, criticizing his methods. Mencius explained that Yu the Great managed floods by directing water towards the sea, effectively controlling floods across the entire realm rather than merely addressing problems in isolated areas. In contrast, Bai Gui’s approach was to “use neighboring regions as a ditch,” essentially diverting water to neighboring areas and making them bear the burden of the flood. Mencius condemned this method as lacking compassion and criticized Bai Gui for his arrogance in believing he surpassed Yu the Great, which he deemed a grave mistake.
The story highlights the concept of “以邻为壑,” showing the unprincipled behavior of offloading one’s problems onto others. The idiom emerged from this critique, illustrating the moral failing of shifting one’s burdens to others instead of addressing them responsibly.
