Idiom Explanation:
It is not shameful to ask for advice from someone who is less learned or of lower status than oneself. Describe the humility of seeking advice. Not ashamed, not to be ashamed; lower ask, lower status to ask others for advice.
Pronunciation:
不耻下问
bù chǐ xià wèn
origin:
《论语·公冶长》：子贡问曰：“孔文子何以谓之文也？”子曰：“敏而好学，不耻下问，是以谓之文也。”
story:
During the Spring and Autumn Period, there was a man named Kong Gong (yǔ) in the State of Wei, who was diligent in his studies and very modest. After his death, the ruler of the state of Wei gave him the title of “Wen” in order to praise him and let future generations learn from his spirit of learning, so he was later called “Kong Wenzi”.
Confucius had a student named Zi Gong, who was also from the state of Wei. He thought that Confucius was not like what people said, and calling him “Confucius Wenzi” seemed to be a bit overrated. He thought about it and felt that he could not understand it, so he went to ask Confucius for advice. Zi Gong said, “Although Kong Nian’s knowledge and talent were very high, there were many others who were more outstanding than him, and there was nothing remarkable about them.
Confucius smiled and replied, “Confucius was very diligent, intelligent and flexible, and if he did not understand anything, even if his opponent was inferior to him in status or learning, he would generously and humbly ask for advice, without being ashamed of it. This is the rare thing about him, so it would not be inappropriate to give him the title of ‘Wen Gong’.”
When Zigong heard this from Confucius, he was convinced. Later people summarized the idiom of “not being ashamed to ask” based on the above story.
Similar Idioms:
- 虚怀若谷
- 移樽就教
