Chinese Idiom: 作舍道边 (Zuo She Dao Bian)
English Translation: Building a house by the roadside
pīn yīn: zuò shè dào biān
Idiom Meaning: This idiom metaphorically refers to a situation where many voices are heard, leading to confusion and disagreement, making it difficult to accomplish any task.
Historical Source: The Book of the Later Han: Biography of Zhang, Cao, and Deng Lie (《后汉书·张曹邓冽传》).
Idiom Story:
During the Han Dynasty, a scholar named Cao Bao devoted himself to studying etiquette and related disciplines from a young age, inspired by the achievements of Shusun Tong, who had established ceremonial protocols for Emperor Gaozu. Cao Bao dedicated himself to his studies, often losing track of his surroundings.
After successfully passing the Xianglian exam, Cao Bao was appointed as the magistrate of Yu County (present-day south of Qi County, Henan Province). He governed the county with a strong emphasis on etiquette and virtue, which greatly influenced the local customs. One year, five thieves were caught stealing in his jurisdiction. The county governor, Ma Yan, who despised theft, suggested to Cao Bao that he execute the five thieves immediately. Cao Bao refused, stating, “Stealing is not a capital offense. If I blindly follow orders and kill those who should not be killed, it contradicts my principles. I would rather offend my superior than compromise my integrity.” As a result, he was demoted to a clerical position.
At that time, Emperor Zhang of Han recognized that the court’s ceremonial system was incomplete and decided to reform it. He commanded officials to engage in discussions to improve the system. Cao Bao, then a doctor in the court, offered to take on this responsibility. The emperor appreciated his insights and promoted him to a position where he frequently advised him.
During a discussion on the reform of ceremonial practices, the emperor consulted the historian Ban Gu. Ban Gu suggested involving more scholars from the capital, stating that since many were knowledgeable about etiquette, their input could be beneficial. However, Emperor Zhang cautioned, “There is a saying: ‘Building a house by the roadside takes three years to complete’ (作舍道边，三年不成). When too many voices are heard, differing opinions arise, and no task can be accomplished. In ancient times, Emperor Yao established regulations with the help of only one person, Kui.”
Understanding Cao Bao’s expertise in historical ceremonial practices, Emperor Zhang ordered him to oversee the reform project. Upon accepting the task, Cao Bao authored a series of 150 documents outlining ceremonial protocols for marriages, funerals, and other social customs, many of which were based on earlier traditions. Once completed, the proposals sparked considerable debate among the officials. In response, Emperor Zhang ordered that the discussions be halted.
This idiom serves as a reminder that too many conflicting opinions can hinder progress, emphasizing the importance of clarity and decisive leadership in any undertaking.
