Classic Quotations from Dream of Red Mansions

1. A terminally ill person seeks medical advice.

Chapter 57 of "A Dream of Red Mansions" by Cao Xueqin of the Qing Dynasty. sickly (dǔdu): seriously ill. The general meaning of this sentence is: If you are seriously ill, go to the doctor randomly. This sentence reflects the common psychology of seriously ill people when seeking medical treatment. It can also be used to describe the eagerness to seek help in certain difficulties.

2. One-third of drunkenness depends on wine.

Chapter 44 of "A Dream of Red Mansions" by Cao Xueqin of the Qing Dynasty. Yi: rely on, rely on. The general meaning of this sentence is: pretend to be drunk when you are not drunk, use wine to have sex. This sentence shows that some people use alcohol as a cover to pretend to be drunk and do things that they should not or cannot do when they are sober. It is mostly used after drinking. It can also be used to describe taking advantage of an opportunity to have an attack for some reason.

3. People go but don’t stay.

Chapter 46 of "A Dream of Red Mansions" by Cao Xueqin of the Qing Dynasty. buzhong (zhòngzhong) to stay: unable to stay. The general meaning of this sentence is: if people want to leave, they can't stay. People have their own ambitions and cannot be stronger than each other. When a person insists on leaving, there is no need to force him to stay. This sentence is mostly used to express that a person cannot be forced to stay or leave.

4. When the tree falls, the hozens scatter.

Chapter 13 of "A Dream of Red Mansions" by Cao Xueqin of the Qing Dynasty. The main idea of ??this sentence is: When the tree falls, the monkeys on the tree will go their separate ways. This sentence often has a derogatory meaning. It means that when the leader collapses, the people who follow him will disperse in a rush. Nowadays, it is often used to explain that after the leader's person or group collapses, the people or forces that rely on him (it) will also collapse.

5. The guest comes to work diligently.

Chapter 32 of "A Dream of Red Mansions" by Cao Xueqin of the Qing Dynasty. The general meaning of this sentence is: The host is elegant, and the guests come frequently to visit him. In the original book, this is a saying quoted by Shi Xiangyun when he persuaded Jia Baoyu to meet Jia Yucun, a frequent visitor to Jia's family. But Baoyu neither agreed with what Xiangyun said was "childish", nor was he willing to meet the vulgar and sinister "guest" of Jia Yucun. He also dismissed the Xiangyun girl who said "bastard talk." This sentence is now It's a pity that it is used to praise the host who is a frequent guest at home.

6. A good wife brings few disasters.

The main idea of ??this sentence is: The wife is from the 68th chapter of "A Dream of Red Mansions" by Cao Xueqin of the Qing Dynasty. The virtuous ship saves the husband from disasters. These are two old sayings that Sister Suifeng quoted when she was flirting with Jia Zhen's wife Youshi: "~, the appearance is not as strong as the inside", mocking Youshi for being unvirtuous and incapable of control. The husband sleeps in flowers and willows outside, causing Jia Zhen and Jia Lian brothers to cause trouble. Now we can give this sentence a new connotation: a virtuous wife can remind, advise and help her husband in time to prevent her husband from making mistakes.

7. Noble people often forget things.

The sixth chapter of "Dream of Red Mansions" by Cao Xueqin of the Qing Dynasty. This is the story of Grandma Liu asking Zhou Rui, the housekeeper of Jia's house, to find a job for her son-in-law. The daughter-in-law interceded, but Zhou Rui's daughter-in-law no longer recognized Grandma Liu, so Grandma Liu flattered her and said: "You are always 'noble people forget things', how can you still recognize us?" ~ This is a colloquial saying that is still used today. It is used now, but it has less meaning of flattery and more meaning of sarcasm. It is mostly used to tease people who forget about others or forget about things requested by others.

8. Yin Nian is used as Mao Nian. /p>

Chapter 106 of "Dream of Red Mansions" by Cao Xueqin of the Qing Dynasty: Yin Nian and Mao Nian: In ancient China, the year was recorded using the stems and branches. The meaning of this sentence is: the first year is advanced. The expenses for the next year have been advanced. This sentence in the original book means that the Jia family has declined and the family situation is not as good as before, but in order to maintain a luxurious life, he did not hesitate to borrow and misappropriate the funds for the next year. It is often used to describe people who cannot make ends meet and have difficulty living; it can also be used to mock some people who are not good at planning and often rely on advance money to live.

9. If you hear the wind, it will be rain. /p>

Chapter 57 of "Dream of Red Mansions" by Cao Xueqin of the Qing Dynasty. The general meaning of this sentence is: when you hear a certain rumor, you believe it to be true without verifying it, and even add fuel to the fire, and use the wind as rain. People who are good at independent thinking often blindly believe in information that is not conclusive ~ reflects this phenomenon and contains a critical meaning

10. Thousands of miles are tied by a thin thread.

Chapter 57 of "A Dream of Red Mansions" by Cao Xueqin of the Qing Dynasty.

Marriage: In the old days, it was believed that the union of husband and wife had a certain fate, so the marriage between a man and a woman was called "marriage". Tie by a Thread: Legend has it that Old Man Yuexia used a red silk thread to tie the feet of the man and woman who were destined to be husband and wife. The general idea of ??this sentence is that although a man and a woman are far apart, they will become husband and wife as long as they are destined. Although this sentence comes from folklore and seems to have a certain sense of fate, it is also a summary of life experience by predecessors and has the inevitability reflected in contingency. The society is vast, the sea of ????people is vast, and a certain man and a certain woman who are far away from each other happen to become husband and wife. This is always caused by some accidental opportunities and conditions. This is the so-called fate. People often say, "We are destined to meet each other thousands of miles away, but we are not close enough to meet each other", which also means the same thing. This sentence is often used to explain that a man and a woman who are far apart form a couple by chance.

11. Climb up with the pole on your head.

Chapter 50 of "A Dream of Red Mansions" by Cao Xueqin of the Qing Dynasty. The general meaning of this sentence is: when others start, you take the opportunity to do things that are beneficial to you by following others' wishes, or you follow up on others' remarks and take the opportunity to say something that is beneficial to you. It can be used to express behaviors such as adapting to the wind, taking advantage of opportunities, pursuing fame and fortune, etc.

12. In life, old age and poverty are inevitable.

The fifth chapter of "A Dream of Red Mansions" by Cao Xueqin of the Qing Dynasty. The general meaning of this sentence is: People should not suffer poverty in old age during their lifetime. When a person reaches old age, his energy is exhausted, he is unable to do anything, and his ability to resist external hardships is greatly weakened. If he suffers poverty again at this time, he will definitely suffer mental and physical torture and pain. This sentence can be used It shows that it is very unfortunate to suffer from poverty in old age; it can also be used to explain that when you are young, you should not be idle or wasteful on enjoyment, so that you will suffer from poverty in old age.

13. Crystal Heart and Glass Man.

Chapter 45 of "A Dream of Red Mansions" by Cao Xueqin of the Qing Dynasty. The general meaning of this sentence is: a heart made of crystal, a person made of glass. This expression is often used to describe a person who is upright and flawless, and does not allow others to look at him with suspicion, ambiguity and deception.

14. Marriage cannot be beaten back with a stick.

Chapter 90 of "A Dream of Red Mansions" by Cao Xueqin of the Qing Dynasty. Marriage: refers to the fate of marriage. The main idea of ??this sentence is: Two people are destined to become husband and wife. Even if they are beaten with a stick, they will not be separated. Marriages between men and women often have some twists and turns due to social factors or family obstructions. However, the two have good intentions and deep love. After an unyielding struggle, lovers often get married. Therefore, there is a saying that "a stick cannot break up." "Mandarin duck" theory. This sentence is often used to lament the marriage that finally came together after many twists and turns, and to praise the unyielding struggle of young men and women in marriage.

15. One person is responsible for the work.

Chapter 92 of "A Dream of Red Mansions" by Cao Xueqin of the Qing Dynasty. The main idea of ??this sentence is: If you do something by yourself, you will be responsible for it alone, and you will never hurt others. This sentence shows the boldness of standing up and daring to take responsibility. There is also a saying that "a good man should do what a good man does", which has the same meaning. It is often used to express one's position when considering the consequences before doing something or taking responsibility after the incident.

16. Play the long game and catch the big fish.

Chapter 21 of "A Dream of Red Mansions" by Cao Xueqin of the Qing Dynasty. The general meaning of these two sentences is: Only by putting out a long fishing line can you catch big fish. In life practice, we know that if the fishing line is short, we can only catch small fish swimming to the shore; if the fishing line is long, we can catch big fish swimming in deep water. It is also very appropriate to extend this principle to political, economic, and military struggles. That is to discover the enemy's clues, do not alert it, and wait for changes; you can also set up bait and place spies around the enemy. Once the time is right, capture or annihilate the enemy in one fell swoop. ~ Explain that in fighting against the enemy, we should pay attention to strategy. We should not act recklessly and be eager for quick success. We should be patient, seize opportunities, and succeed in one fell swoop. It is also used as a metaphor for far-sightedness and long-term planning in order to obtain greater benefits. This famous sentence is from "Zhuangzi · Foreign Things": "Young Master Ren used a big hook and a giant harpoon, and borrowed fifty oxen as bait. He squatted in Kuaiji, threw a pole into the plum blossoms, and fished every day, but there was no fish every year." The big fish has eaten it, and the stuffing has been pulled down by the giant hook, and the mandarin ducks are flying and dancing on the temples." It evolved from a text.

17. When you cross the river, tear down the bridge.

Chapter 21 of "A Dream of Red Mansions" by Cao Xueqin of the Qing Dynasty.

It is a metaphor that after choosing a goal, you will destroy your own paths and conditions for success, thereby hindering and obstructing others. This is an immoral and bad behavior that benefits oneself at the expense of others. Also known as "burning the bridge across the river". People often use this metaphor to kick away those who helped them after achieving their goals, which is similar in meaning to "remembering the fish after catching it".

18. People are afraid of being famous, and pigs are afraid of being strong.

Chapter 83 of "A Dream of Red Mansions" by Cao Xueqin of the Qing Dynasty. The general meaning of this sentence is: People are afraid of having a good reputation and growing fat. This is a common saying, which is the same as the metaphor of "a big tree attracts the wind" and "the one with the eaves will die first". Because people become famous, all kinds of troubles will come one after another, just like pigs will be killed when they become fat. This sentence sometimes also refers to people who lose their creative spirit and become conservative in order to maintain the status they have achieved.

19. Stay poor and endure wealth.

Chapter 90 of "A Dream of Red Mansions" by Cao Xueqin and Gao E of the Qing Dynasty. Shou: to persevere, to endure. Resistant: able to withstand. The general meaning of these two sentences is: to withstand a life of poverty. It must also withstand the test of wealth. No matter whether a person is rich or poor, he must have an upright personality. Just because you are poor, you cannot beg for mercy from others, nor can you use despicable and cunning means to gain fame and fortune; nor can you just be corrupt and do nothing because you are rich. Even wanton and arrogant. The rich bully the poor. In that case, you lose your integrity and become a shameless villain. Therefore, Mencius asked people to "not be promiscuous when rich and noble, and not move away from poverty" ("Tengwen Gongxia"). ~The two sentences can be used to explain that no matter rich or poor, one must be an upright and noble person and cannot change Ding's own ethics.

20. Out of sight, out of mind.

Chapter 29 of "A Dream of Red Mansions" by Cao Xueqin of the Qing Dynasty. The general meaning of these two sentences is: If you can't see it with your eyes, you won't be so troubled in your heart. This proverb expresses a helpless and muddle-through mood. Even if annoying things cannot be seen, they still exist objectively and will not disappear automatically just because you don’t look at them. But the eyes can't see it, so at least it can be a little cleaner for the time being. As for the future, we'll talk about it when the time comes. This can be used to describe the melancholy mentality of muddling along.