明察秋毫
Chinese
| to inspect or observe publicly; to note clearly; to perceive | a small amount; a little bit; in the slightest | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| trad. (明察秋毫) | 明察 | 秋毫 | |
| simp. #(明察秋毫) | 明察 | 秋毫 | |
Etymology
- 曰：「有復於王者曰：『吾力足以舉百鈞』，而不足以舉一羽；『明足以察秋毫之末』，而不見輿薪，則王許之乎？」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
- From: Mencius, c. 4th century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
- Yuē: “Yǒu fù yú wáng zhě yuē: ‘Wú lì zúyǐ jǔ bǎi jūn’, ér bù zúyǐ jǔ yī yǔ; ‘míng zúyǐ chá qiūháo zhī mò’, ér bùjiàn yú xīn, zé wáng xǔ zhī hū?” [Pinyin]
- Mencius replied, "Suppose a man were to make this statement to your Majesty: 'My strength is sufficient to lift three thousand catties, but it is not sufficient to lift one feather; my eyesight is sharp enough to examine the point of an autumn hair, but I do not see a wagon-load of faggots;' would your Majesty allow what he said?"
曰：「有复于王者曰：『吾力足以举百钧』，而不足以举一羽；『明足以察秋毫之末』，而不见舆薪，则王许之乎？」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
Pronunciation
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