Idiom Explanation:
Originally, it refers to the mundane arguments often made by old scholars. Later, it refers generally to the theories or old sayings without any new ideas.
Pronunciation:
老生常谈
rú zuò zhēn zhān
Origin:
唐·房玄龄等《晋书·杜锡传》：累迁太子中舍人。性亮直忠烈，屡谏愍怀太子，言辞恳切，太子患之。后置针着锡常所坐处毡中，刺之流血。
Story:
Guan chariot is the Three Kingdoms period in the plain of Shandong warlock, he looks ugly, not to speak of etiquette, good sex, talk unpredictable. Guan chariot from childhood diligent and studious, quick thinking, especially love astronomy. He often looked up to the stars when he was a child, always ask people first to ask the names of the stars in the sky, and often until late at night and refused to sleep, his father could not control him. And other children playing, Guan chariot on the ground to draw astronomical map. Fifteen years old, Guan chariot has been familiar with the “Zhou Yi”, divination, and gradually got a small reputation, people say he is a genius.
Day after day, the chariot’s reputation to the Ministry of He Yan and the Minister of the Minister of Deng Hur ears. This day, it happens to be the 28th day of the 12th lunar month, the two officials after eating and drinking, idle and bored, they sent people to call the chariot for them to divination.
He Yan once saw the chariot, shouted: “I heard that your divination is very good, quickly for me to tell a fortune, to see if I can have the opportunity to get rich. In addition, the past few nights I also dreamed of flies always bite on the nose, what is the omen?”
Guan chariot thought for a while, said: “the ancient eight yuan, eight Kai assisted Yu Shun, the Duke of Zhou assisted King Cheng of Zhou to build the country, the country’s peace, both because of its gentle and benevolent, modest and respectful and much happiness and longevity. This is not something that can be determined by divination. Now the two of you are in a high position of power, as famous as thunder, no less than the Duke of Zhou, but people are not benefited by you, but only fear your power, which is not a good omen, I’m afraid. And on the contrary, there are people who are able to do without being in power, but people carry their virtues. Shouldn’t you think twice about this? As for your dream, according to the divination technique, the green flies are chasing your nose, which is a very bad omen. To turn good fortune into good luck, to eliminate disasters and take refuge, you can only follow the example of the great sages such as the Duke of Zhou and do good deeds.”
Deng Hur originally intended to respectfully listen to the chariot divination, who expected to hear such a rebuke. He was very unimpressed with the chariot’s words, repeatedly shook his head and said, “You are the same old story, we already know, why should we listen to you here again.” He Yan’s face is blue, not a word. Guan chariot said unhurriedly: “Although it is the same old words, but can not be taken lightly ah! Do not listen to the sage’s words, the loss in front of you.” Then got up and brushed his sleeves and left.
Soon, the New Year came, news came from Luoyang, Deng Hur, He Yan and Cao Shuang together for plotting rebellion and was killed. Guan chariot after knowing, said repeatedly: “the old cliché words, but they ignore, so no wonder there is such a fate ah!”
Similar Idioms:
- 陈词滥调
- 老调重弹
