Chinese Idiom: 一曝十寒 (Yi Pu Shi Han)
English Translation: Short Effort, Long Rest
pīn yīn: yī pù shí hán
Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes the lack of a consistent plan or persistence in learning or doing things, often stopping and starting irregularly.
Historical Source: Mencius, “Gaozi I”
Idiom Story: Mencius, also known as Meng Ke, with the courtesy name Ziyu, was a philosopher from the state of Zou (modern-day Zoucheng, Shandong) during the Warring States period. He is recognized as a prominent Confucian scholar following Confucius. Mencius advocated for benevolent governance and opposed the use of military force for territorial expansion. He proposed the idea that “the people are the most important, followed by the state, and the ruler is the least significant.” He also promoted the theory of innate goodness, believing that “benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and wisdom” are inherent in everyone, though not everyone can maintain this inherent goodness. His views formed a system of subjective idealism.
During Mencius’s time in the mid-Warring States period, vassal states were consolidating power, and the slave system was in decline. Consequently, his ideas did not gain much attention from the rulers. Mencius traveled to various states, including Qi, Song, Teng, and Wei, to promote his views and served as a guest minister to King Xuan of Qi. He frequently advised King Xuan to implement benevolent governance. However, King Xuan was inconsistent, sometimes listening to Mencius but mostly ignoring his advice.
Seeing this, some people blamed Mencius for not effectively helping King Xuan. Mencius responded with dissatisfaction, saying, “Even if there were something in the world most easily brought to life, exposing it to sunlight for one day and then leaving it in the cold for ten days would still prevent it from growing. My meetings with King Xuan are rare, and during the times we don’t meet, many others are cooling his enthusiasm. Even if he had the budding sprouts of goodness in his heart, how could I make them grow?”
This story illustrates the idiom “Short Effort, Long Rest” (一曝十寒), highlighting the futility of inconsistent efforts in achieving growth or success.
