十个成语故事

1、沧海桑田

从前仙人王远和麻姑，他们相约到蔡经家去饮酒，王远一行很快就到蔡经家，但没见到麻姑的到来，就派使者去请。麻姑到来说她奉命去巡视蓬莱，已经三次见到东海变成桑田，现在海水又退了一半。王远说那里又要扬起尘土来了。

2、不拘一格

清朝思想家龚自珍面对腐败的清政府，主张改革，提倡禁烟，得不到朝廷重用。48岁毅然辞官归隐，在路过镇江时看到当地人在祭拜天神，他作诗一首：“九州生气恃风雷，万马齐喑究可哀；我劝天公重抖擞，不拘一格降人才。”

3、长风破浪

南朝宋国著名将领宗悫从小就有雄心壮志，喜欢舞枪弄剑，他的叔父宗炳问他的志向，他回答说：“愿乘长风破万里浪！”，后来他带兵攻打林邑国，运用计谋取胜，被封为左卫将军。

4、一叶障目

有个书呆子从古书上读到“蝉翳叶”的故事，信以为真，就四处寻找，把蝉躲藏处的树叶全部摘下，拿回家遮脸作试验，问妻子能不能看见他。妻子气愤说看不见。他就拿这片树叶去街上行窃，被抓后说：“我一叶障目，你们能看见吗？”

5、杯水车薪

从前有一个樵夫在山上打柴，听到救火声就跑去救火。后来他的柴车也着了火，正好看到路边有一个杯子，就拿杯子跑到河边去装水来救火，但火势太大，一杯水根本就是无济于事，一整车柴全部被烧毁。

6、三顾茅庐

原为汉末刘备访聘诸葛亮的故事。比喻真心诚意，一再邀请。刘备和关羽、张飞亲自到卧龙冈拜见诸葛亮，前两次都没见到，第三次终于见到诸葛亮，诚心请诸葛亮出山。

7、按图索骥

春秋时期相马专家孙阳（伯乐）根据自己的相马经验写了《相马经》，他的儿子很想把相马的绝技学到手，熟读《相马经》，根据经书上的标准选出的“千里马”——一只癞蛤蟆回家向其父报喜，伯乐看后哭笑不得。

8、不自量力

春秋时期，实力弱小的息国从郑国发动战争，结果被打败。原因是不正确分析敌我双方的力量，分不清敌人与朋友，不团结邻国，结果没过多久息国被楚国消灭

9、拔苗助长

从前宋国一个农夫担心自己田里的禾苗长不高，就天天到田边去看。三天过去了，禾苗没见动静。他想出一个办法，就急忙奔到田里，把禾苗一棵棵拔高一些。回去对儿子说禾苗长高了一大截，儿子跑到田里一看，禾苗全都枯死了。

10、一刀两断

西汉初年，韩信被封为齐王之后，丞相萧何担心韩信兵权太大威胁刘家天下，就找樊哙共商计策。樊哙自鸣得意，连夸自己是如何斗败项羽而保主公刘邦的，面对这淮阴一饿夫且手无缚鸡之力的韩信，只须叫一两个人就可以把他一刀两断。

参考资料来源：百度百科—成语故事

买椟还珠

春秋时代，楚国有一个商人，专门卖珠宝的，有一次他到齐国去兜售珠宝，为了生意
好，珠宝畅销起见，特地用名贵的木料，造成许多小盒子，把盒子雕刻装饰得非常精致美
观，使盒子会发出一种香味，然后把珠宝装在盒子里面。
有一个郑国人，看见装宝珠的盒子既精致又美观，问明了价钱后，就买了一个，打开盒
子，把里面的宝物拿出来，退还给珠宝商。

一鸣惊人

战国时代，齐国有一个名叫淳于髡的人。他的口才很好，也很会说话。他常常用一些有
趣的隐语，来规劝君主，使君王不但不生气，而且乐于接受。
当时齐国的威王，本来是一个很有才智的君主，但是，在他即位以后，却沈迷于酒色，
不管国家大事，每日只知饮酒作乐，而把宜切正事都交给大臣去办理，自己则不闻不问。因
此，政治不上轨道，官吏们贪污失职，再加上各国的诸侯也都趁机来侵犯，使得齐国濒临灭
亡的边缘。
虽然，齐国的一些爱国之人都很担心，但是，却都因为畏惧齐王，所以没有人赶出来劝
谏。
其实齐威王室一个很聪明的人他很喜欢说些隐语，来表现自己的智慧，虽然他不喜欢听
别人的劝告，但如果劝告得法的话，他还是会接受的。淳于髡知道这点后，便想了一个计
策，准备找个机会来劝告齐威王。
有一天，淳于髡见到了齐威王，就对他说：“大王，为陈有一个谜语想请您猜一猜：其
国有汁大鸟，住在大王的宫廷中，已经整整三年了，可是他既不振翅飞翔，也不发生名叫，
只是毫无目的的蜷夫着，大王您猜，这是一只什么鸟呢？”
齐威王本是一个聪明人，亦听就知道淳于髡是在讽刺自己，向那只大鸟一样，身为一国
之尊，却毫无作为，只知道享乐。而他时再也不是一个昏庸的君王，于是沈吟了一会儿之后
便毅然的决定要改过，振作起来，做一番轰轰烈烈的是，因此他对淳于髡说：
“嗯，这一只大鸟，你不知道，它不飞则已，亦非就会冲到天上去，它不鸣则已，一鸣
就会惊动众人，你慢慢等着瞧吧！”
从此齐威王不在沈迷于饮酒作乐，而开始整顿国正。首先他召见全国的官吏，尽忠负责
的，就给予奖励；而那些腐败无能的，则加以惩罚。结果全国上下，很快就振作起来，到处
充满蓬勃的朝气。
另一方面他也着手整顿军事，强大武力，奠定国家的威望。各国诸侯听到这个消息以后
都很震惊，不但不敢再来侵犯，甚至还把原先侵占的土地，都归还给齐国。
齐威王的这一番作为，真可谓是“一鸣惊人”呀！
所以后来的人便把“一鸣惊人”这句成语用来比喻一个人如有不平凡的才能，只要他能
好好的运用，一旦发挥出来，往往有惊人的作为。

狐假虎威

战国时代，当楚国最强盛的时候，楚宣王曾为了当时北方各国，都惧怕他的手下大将昭
奚恤，而感到奇怪。因此他便问朝中大臣，这究竟是为什么。
当时，有一位名叫江乙的大臣，便向他叙述了下面这段故事：
“从前在某个山洞中有一只老虎，因为肚子饿了，便跑到外面寻觅食物。当他走到一片
茂密的森林时，忽然看到前面有只狐狸正在散步。他觉得这正是个千载难逢的好机会，于
是，便一跃身扑过去，毫不费力的将他擒过来。
可是当它张开嘴巴，正准备把那只狐狸吃进肚子里的时候，狡黠的狐狸突然说话了：
‘哼！你不要以为自己是百兽之王，便敢将我吞食掉；你要知道，天地已经命令我为王中之
王，无论谁吃了我，都将遭到天地极严厉的制裁与惩罚。’老虎听了狐狸的话，半信半疑，
可是，当它斜过头去，看到狐狸那副傲慢镇定的样子，心里不觉一惊。原先那股嚣张的气焰
和盛气凌人的态势，竟不知何时已经消失了大半。虽然如此，他心中仍然在想：我因为是百
兽之王，所以天底下任何野兽见了我都会害怕。而他，竟然是奉天帝之命来统治我们的！
这时，狐狸见老虎迟疑着不敢吃它，知道他对自己的那一番说词已经有几分相信了，于
是便更加神气十足的挺起胸膛，然后指着老虎的鼻子说：‘怎么，难道你不相信我说的话
吗？那么你现在就跟我来，走在我后面，看看所有野兽见了我，是不是都吓的魂不附体，抱
头鼠窜。’老虎觉得这个主意不错，便照着去做了。
于是，狐狸就大模大样的在前面开路，而老虎则小心翼翼的在后面跟着。他们走没多
久，就隐约看见森林的深处，有许多小动物正在那儿争相觅食，但是当它们发现走在狐狸后
面的老虎时，不禁大惊失色，狂奔四散。
这时，狐狸很得意的掉过头去看看老虎。老虎目睹这种情形，不禁也有一些心惊胆战，
但他并不知到野兽怕的是自己，而以为他们真是怕狐狸呢！
狡狐之计是得逞了，可是他的威势完全是因为假借老虎，才能平着一时有利的形势去威
胁群兽而那可怜的老虎被人愚弄了，自己还不自知呢！
因此，北方人民之所以畏惧昭奚恤，完全是因为大王的兵全掌握在他的手里，那也就是
说，他们畏惧的其实是大王的权势呀！”
从上面这个故事，我们可以知道，凡是藉着权威的势力欺压别人，或藉着职务上的权力
作威作福的，都可以用“狐假虎威”来形容。

上下其手

春秋楚襄王二十六年。楚国出兵侵略郑国。以当时楚国那么强大，弱小的郑国，实在没
有能力抵抗的，结果，郑国遭遇到战败的厄运，连郑王颉也被楚将穿封戌俘虏了。战事结束
后，楚军中有楚王弟公子围，想冒认俘获郑颉的功劳，说郑王颉是由他俘获的，于是穿封戌
和公子围二人便发生争执，彼此都不肯让步，一时没有办法解决得来。后来，他们便请伯犁
作公正人，判定这是谁的功劳。
伯州犁的解纷办法本是很公正的，他主张要知道这是谁的功劳，最好是问问被俘的郑
王。于是命人带了郑王颉来，伯州犁便向他说明原委，接着手伸二指，用上手指代表楚王弟
公子围，用下手指代表楚将穿封戌，然后问他是被谁俘获的。郑王颉因被穿封戌俘虏，很是
恨他，便指着上手指，表示是被公子围所俘虏。于是，伯州犁便判定这是公子围的功劳。
“上下其手”这句成语便是出于这个故事；是表示玩法作弊，颠倒是非的意思。
在现在的社会中，这种情形是常常会发生的：譬如有人做了不法的事情，知道罪有应
得，难逃被惩处的厄运；于是暗地里进行贿赂，或请托亲友奔走求情，求予包庇，结果大事
化小，小事化无，仍得消遥法外。像这种参与其事的人，从中枉法舞弊，便可以说是：“上
下其手”了。

杞人忧天

从前在杞国，有一个胆子很小，而且有点神经质的人，他常会想到一些奇怪的问题，而
让人觉得莫名其妙。
有一天，他吃过晚饭以后，拿了一把大蒲扇，坐在门前程量，并且自言自语的说：
“假如有一天，天塌了下来，那该怎么办呢？我们岂不是无路可逃，而将活活地被压
死，这不就太冤枉了吗？”
从此以后，他几乎每天为这个问题发愁、烦恼，朋友见他终日精神恍惚，脸色憔悴，都
很替他担心，但是，当大家知道原因后，都跑来劝他说：
“老兄啊！你何必为这件事自寻烦恼呢？天空怎么会塌下来呢？在说即使真的塌下来，
那也不是你一个人忧虑发愁就可以解决的啊，想开点吧！”
可是，无论人家怎么说，他都不相信，仍然时常为这个不必要的问题担忧。
后来的人就根据上面这个故事，引伸成“杞人忧天”这句成语，它的主要意义在唤醒人
们不要为一些不切实际的事情而忧愁。它与“庸人自扰”的意义大致相同。

亡羊补牢

这故事出自“战国策”。战国时代，楚国有一个大臣，名叫庄辛，有一天对楚襄王说：
“你在宫里面的时候，左边是州侯，右边是夏侯；出去的时候，鄢陵君和寿跟君又总是随看
你。你和这四个人专门讲究奢侈淫乐，不管国家大事，郢（楚都，在今湖北省江陵县北）一
定要危险啦！”
襄王听了，很不高与，气骂道：“你老糊涂了吗？故意说这些险恶的话惑乱人心吗？”
庄辛不慌不忙的回答说：“我实在感觉事情一定要到这个地步的，不敢故意说楚国有什
么不幸。如果你一直宠信这个人，楚国一定要灭亡的。你既然不信我的话，请允许我到赵国
躲一躲，看事情究竟会怎样。”
庄辛到赵国才住了五个月，秦国果然派兵侵楚，襄王被迫流亡到阳城（今河南息县西
北）。这才觉得庄辛的话不错，赶紧派人把庄辛找回来，问他有什么办法；庄辛很诚恳地说：
“我听说过，看见兔子牙想起猎犬，这还不晚；羊跑掉了才补羊圈，也还不迟。……”
这是一则很有意义的故事，只知道享乐，不知道如何做事，其结果必然是遭到悲惨的失
败无疑。
“亡羊补牢”这句成语，便是根据上面约两句话而来的，表达处理事情发生错误以后，
如果赶紧去挽救，还不为迟的意思。例如一个事业家，因估计事情的发展犯了错误，轻举冒
进，陷入失败的境地。但他并不气馁，耐心地将事情再想了一遍，从这次的错误中吸取教
训，认为“亡羊补牢”，从头做起，还不算晚呢！

一暴十寒

战国时代，百家争鸣，游说之风，十分盛行。一般游说之士，不但有高深的学问、丰富的知识，尤其是以有深刻生动的比喻，来讽劝执政者，最为凸出。孟子也是当时的一个著名辩士，在“孟子”的“告子”上篇中有这样一段记载：
孟子对齐王的昏庸，作事没有坚持性、轻信奸佞谗言很不满，便不客气的对他说：“王也太不明智了，天下虽有生命力很强的生物，可是你把它在阳光下晒了一天，却放在阴寒的地方冻了它十天，它那里还活着成呢！我跟王在一起的时间是很短的，王即使有了一点从善的决心，可是我一离开你，那些奸臣又来哄骗你，你又会听信他们的话，叫我怎么办呢？”按着，他使打了一个生动的比喻：“下棋看起来是件小事，但假使你不专心致志，也同样学不好，下不赢，奕秋是全国最善下棋的能手，他教了两个徒弟，其中一个专心致志，处处听奕秋的指导；另一个却老是怕着有大天鹅飞来，准备用箭射鹅。两个徒弟是一个师傅教的，一起学的，然而后者的成绩却差得很远。这不是他们的智力有什么区别，而是专心的程度不一样啊；”这是一个很有教学意义的故事，我们要学习一样东西、做好一件事情，是非专心致志、下苦功夫不可的。若是今天做一些，把它丢下了，隔天十天再去做，那么事情怎样做得好呢？求学、做事的能否成功，这也是个决定因素之一，故后来的人便将孟子所说的“一日暴之，十日寒之”精简成“一暴十寒”一句成语，用来比喻修学、做事没有恒心，作辍无常的一种说法。例如一位同学，对于求学很是随便，学习的时间少，荒废的时间多，我们便说：他这种一曝十寒的作法，那里能学到什么东西呢？

三人成虎

战国时代，互相攻伐，为了使大家真正能遵守信约，国与国之间通常都将太子交给对方作为人质。“战国策”：“魏策”有这样一段记载：
魏国大臣庞葱，将要陪魏太子到赵国去作人质，临行前对魏王说：
“现在有个一人来说街市上出现了老虎，大王可相信吗？”
魏王道：“我不相信。”
庞葱说：“如果有第二个人说街市上出现了老虎，大王可相信吗？”
魏王道：“我有些将信将疑了。”
庞葱又说：“如果有第三个人说街市上出现了老虎，大王相信吗？”
魏王道：“我当然会相信。”
庞葱就说：“街市上不会有老虎，这是很明显的事，可是经过三个人一说，好像真的有了老虎了。现在赵国国都邯郸离魏国国都大梁，比这里的街市远了许多，议论我的人又不止三个。希望大王明察才好。”
魏王道：“一切我自己知道。”
庞葱陪太子回国，魏王果然没有再召见也了。
市是人口集中的地方，当然不会有老虎。说市上有虎，显然是造谣、欺骗，但许多人这样说了，如果不是从事物真相上看问题，也往往会信以为真的。
这故事本来是讽刺魏惠王无知的，但后世人引伸这故事成为“三人成虎”这句成语，乃是借来比喻有时谣言可以掩盖真相的意思。例如：判断一件事情的真伪，必须经过细心考察和思考，不能道听途说。否则“三人成虎”，有时会误把谣言当成真实的。

退避三舍 tuì bì sān shě

English

春秋时候，晋献公听信谗言，杀了太子申生，又派人捉拿申生的弟弟重耳。重耳闻讯，逃出了晋国，在外流忘十几年。

经过千幸万苦,重耳来到楚国。楚成王认为重耳日后必有大作为，就以国群之礼相迎，待他如上宾。
一天，楚王设宴招待重耳，两人饮洒叙话，气氛十分融洽。忽然楚王问重耳：“你若有一天回晋国当上国君，该怎么报答我呢？”重耳略一思索说：“美女待从、珍宝丝绸，大王您有的是，珍禽羽毛，象牙兽皮，更是楚地的盛产，晋国哪有什么珍奇物品献给大王呢？”楚王说：“公子过谦了。话虽然这么说，可总该对我有所表示吧？”重耳笑笑回答道：“要是托您的福。果真能回国当政的话，我愿与贵国友好。假如有一天，晋楚国之间发生战争，我一定命令军队先退避三舍（一舍等于三十里），如果还不能得到您的原谅，我再与您交战。”

四年后，重耳真的回到晋国当了国君，就是历史上有名的晋文公。晋国在他的治理下日益强大。

公元前633年，楚国和晋国的军队在作战时相遇。晋文公为了实现他许下的诺言，下令军队后退九十里，驻扎在城濮。楚军见晋军后退，以为对方害怕了，马上追击。晋军利用楚军骄傲轻敌的弱点，集中兵力，大破楚军，取得了城濮之战的胜利。

故事出自《左传·僖公二十二年》。成语“退避三舍”比喻不与人相争或主动让步。

Retreating about Thirty Miles as Condition For Peace

During the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 B.C.), Duke Xian of the State of Jin Killed the crown prince Sheng because he had heard slanders about Sheng and believed them. He also sent his men to arrest Chong Er, Shen Sheng and believed them. He also sent his men to arrest Chonh Er, Shen Sheng's brother. Hearing the news, Chong Er escaped from the state of Jin, remaining a fugitive for more than ten years.

After innumerable hardships, Chong Er arrived at the State of Chu at last. King Cheng of the State of Chu treated him with high respect as he would have treated the ruler of a state, believing that he would have a vright fuure.

One day, King Cheng of the State of Chu gave a banquet in honoudr of Chong Er. Suddenly, amid the harmonious atmosphere of drinking and talking, King Cheng of the State of Chu asked Chong Er. "How will you repay me when you return to the State of Jin and become its ruler one day?" After thinking for a moment, Chong Er said, "You have plenty of beauties and attendants as well as jewelry and silk cloth, and the state of Chu abounds in rare brides and animals. What treasure can the State of Jin boast having to present to your majesty?" King Cheng of the State of Chu said, "You are too modest. Nevertheless, you still have to show your gratitude to me in one way or another, I presume?" Smiling, Chong Er answered, "If I should be fortunate enouge to return to the State of Jin and become its ruler, the State of Jin would be friendly to the State of Chu. If, one day, there should be a war between the two states, I would definitely order my troops to retreat three SHE (one SHE is equivalent to thirty LI. The LI is a Chinese unit of length equivalent to 1/2 kilometre. And, therefore, three SHE is about thirty miles.) as a condition for peace. If, under that condition, you were still not reconciled, I would have to fight with you."

Four years later, as might be expected, Chong Er returned to the State of Jin and became its ruler. He was none other than Duke Wen of the State of Jin famous in ancient Chinese history. Ruled by him, the State of Jin became increasingly powerful.

In the year 533 B.C., the Chu troops and the Jin troops confronted each other in a battle. Faithful to his promise, Duke Wen of the State of Jin ordered his troops to retreat about thirty miles. After retreating, the Jin troops were stationed at Chengpu. Seeing that the Jin troops were retreating, the Chu troops thought that the enemy troops were afraid, and began chasing them. Taking advantage of the Chu troops' arrogance and their talking the Jin troops lightly, the Jin troops concentrated their forces and inflicted a crushing defeat on the Chu troops, thus winning the victory of the battle of Chengpu.

This set phrase, "retreating about thirty miles as a condition for peace," is derived from the Chapter "The Twenty-second Year of Duke Xi" in ZuoZhuan, the famous commentary by Zuo Qiuming on The spring and Autumn Annals. The idea of this set phrase is to give way to somebody in order to avoid a conflict.

洛阳纸贵 luò yáng zhǐ guì

English

晋代文学家左思，小时候是个非常顽皮、不爱读书的孩子。父亲经常为这事发脾气，可是小左思仍然淘气得很，不肯好好学习。

有一天，左思的父亲与朋友们聊天，朋友们羡慕他有个聪明可爱的儿子。左思的父亲叹口气说：“快别提他了，小儿左思的学习，还不如我小时候，看来没有多大的出息了。”说着，脸上流露出失望的神色。这一切都被小左思看到听到了，他非常难过，觉得自己不好好念书确实很没出息。于是，暗暗下定决心，一定要刻苦学习。

日复一日，年复一年，左思渐渐长大了，由于他坚持不懈地发奋读书，终于成为一位学识渊博的人，文章也写得非常好。他用一年的时间写成了《齐都赋》，显示出他在文学方面的才华，为他成为杰出的文学家奠定了基础。这以后他又计划以三国时魏、蜀、吴首都的风土、人情、物产为内容，撰写《三都赋》。为了在内容、结构、语言诸方面都达到一定水平，他潜心研究，精心撰写，废寝忘食，用了整整十年，文学巨著《三都赋》终于写成了。

《三都赋》受到谅也评，人们把它和汉代文学杰作《两都赋》相比。由于当时还没有发明印刷术，喜爱《三都赋》的人只能争相抄阅，因为抄写的人太多，京城洛阳的纸张供不应求，一时间全城纸价大幅度上升。

故事出自《晋书·文苑·左思传》。成语“洛阳纸贵”，称颂杰出的作品风行一进。

Overwhelming Popularity of a New Work Causes Shortage of Printing Paper

In the Jin Dynasty (265-420) there was a famous writer whose name was Zuo Si who, however, was very naughty and did not like to study when he was a small kid.His father often got angry, and yet young Zuo Si was as naughty as ever and would not study hard.

One day, Zuo Si's father was chatting with his friends. his friends envied him his clever and loverly son. Hearing this, Zuo si's father sighed, "Please do not mention him. My son Zuo si does not study as well as I did when I was young, although I did not study well enough myself. It appears that he is actually a good-for-nothing." So saying, he looked disappointed. All this was witnessed by young Zuo Si. He felt very sad, feeling intensely that he would not be able to have a bright future if he did not study hard. So he was determined to study assiduously from then on. Day after day and year after year, Zuo Si gradually grew up. Because of his unremitting afforts in hard study, he became an erudite scholar and wrote very excellent essays. The "Ode to the Capital of the State of Qi", which took him one year to write, showed his brilliant literary talent and laid the foundation for his becoming an outstanding writer. then he planned to write an "Ode to the Capitals of the Three Kingdoms of Wei, Shu Han and Wu" with the local conditions and customs as well as the produce of the three capitals as its content. In order to achieve the desired effect in content, structure and language, he applied himself to research work with great concentration, and was so absorbed in creative writing as to forget food and sleep. It took him ten whole years to finish the writing of "Ode to the Capitals of the Three Kingdoms of Wei, Shu Han and Wu", a literary masterpiece.

The "Ode to the Capitals of the Three Kingdoms of Wei, Shu Han and Wu" was well received by the broad masses of readers after it made its appearance to the public, and people considered it as superbly written as the "Ode to the Western Capital (Changan) and to the Eastern Capital (Luoyang)" written by Ban Gu (32-92) and the "Ode to the Western Capital and to the Eastern Capital" written by Zhang Heng of the Han Dynasty (206 B.C. to A.D.220). As the art of printing had not been invented at that time, people who were fond of this "Ode" had to make handwritten copies of it themselves. As there were so many people who vied with each other in making handwritten copies, the supply of writing paper fell short of the demand in Luoyang went up greatly.

This story comes from "The life of Zuo Si" in the book "Literary Field" of The History of the Jin Dynasty. Based on this story, people have coined the set phrase "the price of writing paper went up greatly", meaning the overwhelming popularity of a new work causes shortage of printing paper, to show how popular an outstanding piece of literary work is.

草木皆兵 cǎo mù jēi bīng

English

东晋时代，秦王苻坚控制了北部中国。公元383年，苻坚率领步兵、骑兵90万，攻打江南的晋朝。晋军大将谢石、谢玄领兵8万前去抵抗。苻坚得知晋军兵力不足，就想以多胜少，抓住机会，迅速出击。

谁料，苻坚的先锋部队25万在寿春一带被晋军出奇击败，损失惨重，大将被杀，士兵死伤万余。秦军的锐气大挫，军心动摇，士兵惊恐万状，纷纷逃跑。此时，苻坚在寿春城上望见晋军队伍严整，士气高昂，再北望八公山，只见山上一草一木都像晋军的士兵一样。苻坚回过头对弟弟说：“这是多么强大的敌人啊！怎么能说晋军兵力不足呢？”他后悔自己过于轻敌了。

出师不利给苻坚心头蒙上了不祥的阴影，他令部队靠淝水北岸布阵，企图凭借地理优势扭转战局。这时晋军将领谢玄提出要求，要秦军稍往后退，让出一点地方，以便渡河作战。苻坚暗笑晋军将领不懂作战常识，想利用晋军忙于渡河难于作战之机，给它来个突然袭击，于是欣然接受了晋军的请求。

谁知，后退的军令一下，秦军如潮水一般溃不成军，而晋军则趁势渡河追击，把秦军杀得丢盔弃甲，尸横遍地。苻坚中箭而逃。

故事出自《晋书·苻坚·载记》。成语“草木皆兵”，形容神经过敏、疑神疑鬼的惊恐心理。

Every Bush and Tree Looks Like an Enemy

During the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Fu Jian, king of the State of Qin, controlled northern China. In the year383, Fu Jian led 900,000 infantry and cavalry troops to assault the State of Jin which was south of the Yangtze River. Xie Shi and Xie Xuan, senior generals of the Jin army, led 80,000 troops to offer resistance. Knowing that the Jin army was short of men, Fu Jian wanted to seize this opportunity of being much more numerous in armed forces to stage a quick attack.

Unexpectedly, the van of Fu Jian's army of 250,000 troops was defeated in the Shouchun area by an ingenious military move of the Jin army and suffered heavy losses. The senior general of the van of Fu Jian's army was killed, and there were heavy casualties of more than 10,000 soldiers. Fu Jian's army was dispirited and its morale was shaken. Many soldiers were in such a great panic that they waited for opportunities to run away. Standing on the city wall of the Shouchun City, Fu Jian and his brother Fu Rong saw that the ranks of the Jin army were in good order and that the morale of the Jin army was high. Turning to his brother, Fu Jian said, "What a powerful enemy this is! Why did people say that the Jin army was short of men?" He deeply regretted that he had taken the enemy too lightly.

Overshadowed by the disastrous defeat, Fu Jian ordered his troops to be deployed in battle formation on the north side of the Feishui River, in an attempt to regain the initiative by relying on the superior geographical conditions. Then Xie Shi and Xie Xuan, the senior generals of the Jin army, suggested that Fu Jian's army retreat a little bit, leaving some space, so that the Jin army could cross the river to conduct ooperations. Fu Jian thought that his chance had come, believing that the senior generals of the Jin army did not have the elementary knowledge of warfare. It was his plan to stage a sudden attack while the troops of the Jin army was busy crossing the river, and he was sure that his plan would word. So he willingly accepted the suggestion of the Jin army.

Unexpectedly, the moment the order to retreat was given, Fu Jian's troops were utterly routed and could by no means be controlled. Taking advantage of this favorable situation, the Jin army crossed the river, pursuing and attacking the enemy. The trooops of Fu Jian's army threw away everything in headlong flight, and the field was littered with the corpses of the soldiers of Fu Jian's army. Fu Rong was killed in the tangled fighting, and Fu Jian was hit by an arrow and ran away. The Jin army won a brilliant victory by defeating a big army with its limited armed forces.

This story comes from "The Life of Fu Jian" in the volume "Records" of The History of the Jin Dynasty. The set phrase "every bush and tree looks like an enemy" is subsequently used to refer to a state of extreme nervousness.

按图索骥 àn tú suǒ yì

English

春秋时候，秦国有个叫孙阳的人，擅长相马，无论什么样的马，他一眼就能分出优劣。他常常被人请去识马、选马，人们都称他为伯乐（“伯乐”本是天上的星名，据说负责管理天马）。

有一次，孙阳路过一个地方，忽见一匹拖着盐车的老马冲他叫个不停，走近一看，原来是匹千里马，只是年龄稍大了点。老马拉着车艰难地走着，孙阳觉得太委屈了这匹千里马，它本是可以奔跑于疆场，可以发挥更大作用的宝马良驹，现在却默默无闻地拖着盐车，慢慢地消耗着它的锐气和体力，实在可惜！孙阳想到这里，难过得落下泪来。

为了让更多的人学会相马，使千里马不再被埋没，也为了自己一身绝技不至于失传，孙阳把自己多年积累的相马经验和知识写成了一本书，配上各种马的形态图，书名叫《相马经》。

孙阳有个儿子，看了父亲写的《相马经》，以为相马很容易，就拿着这本书到处找好马。他按照书上所绘的图形去找，一无所获。又按书中所写的特征去找，最后发现有一只癞蛤蟆很像书中写的千里马的特征，便高兴地把癞蛤蟆带回家，对父亲说：“爸爸，我找到一匹千里马，只是蹄子稍差些。”父亲一看，哭笑不得，没想到儿子竟如此愚笨，便幽默地说：“可惜这马太喜欢跳了，不能用来拉车。”接着感叹道：“所谓按图索骥也。”

故事出自明朝杨慎的《艺林伐山》。成语“按图索骥”，比喻机械地照老办法办事，不知变通；也比喻按照某种线索去寻找事物。

Looking for a Steed with the Aid Of Its Picture

During the Spring and Autumn Period, there was a man in the State of Qin whose name was Sun Yang. Sun Yang was very expert in looking at horses and judging their worth. Whatever the horse might be, he could tell whether it was good or bad at first sight. People called him Bo Le (Bo Le was the name of one of the celestial bodies and was fabled to be in charge of heavenly steeds), and he was often asked to appraise and select horses.

One day, when Sun Yang was passing a place, an old horse pulling acart loaded with salt suddenly neighed to him without stopping. He came near, and saw that it was a horse that really could cover a thousand Li a day, and that the only problem with it was that it was a little too old. The old horse was pulling the heavy cart with difficulties and hardships. Sun Yang felt acutely that the horse was really unjustly treated, for it might have been a fine steed galloping on the battlefield. It was a great pity that it was pulling the cart loaded with salt without attracting public attention, which had taken the edge off its spirit and consumed its energy. When he thought of this, he was so grieved that he shed tears.

In order to help more people learn how to appraise horses so that fine horses which could cover a thousand LI a day would no longer fall into oblivion, and also in order to ensure that his unique skill in judging horses would not be lost, Sun Yang worte a book entitled The Art of Looking at Horses and Judging Their Worth, based on his experiences and knowledge accumulated over the years. The book was also illustrated with the pictures of various horses.

Sun Yang had a son who, after reading his father's The Art of Looking at Horses and Judging Their Worth, thought it was very esay to appraise horses. So he took the book with him to look for fine horses everywhere. At first he searched according to the pictures in the book, and accomplished nothing. Then he searched according to the characteristics of a toad fit very well the characteristics described in the book. So he happily took the toad back home, and said to his father, "Father, I have found a horse that can cover a thousand Li a day, only its hoofs are not good enough." Looking at the toad, Sun Yang did not know whether he should laugh or cry. Knowing that his son was stupid, Sun Yang said humourously. "It's a pity that this horse is too fond of jumping to pull a cart." Then he sighed, "That is just what we call looking for a steed with the aid of its picture."

Later, people have used the set phrase "look for a steed with the aid of its picture" to refer to handling affairs mechanically in the outmoded ways without being flexible. Somethimes it is also used to refer to trying to locate something by following up a clue. This set phrase originates in Lumbering in the Forest of Art written by Yang Shen in the Ming Dynasty （1368-1644）.

后来居上

English

汲黯是西汉武帝时代人，以刚直正义、敢讲真话而受人尊重。他为人和做官都不拘小节，讲求实效。虽然表面上不那么轰轰烈烈，却能把一个郡治理得井井有条，因此，朝廷把他从东海太守调到朝廷当主爵都尉——一种主管地方吏任免的官职。

有一次，汉武帝说要实行儒家的仁义之政，为老百姓办好事了。没等皇帝把话说完，汲黯就说：“陛下内心里那么贪婪多欲，表面上却要装得实行仁政，这是何苦呢？”一句话把皇帝噎了回去。汉武帝登时脸色大变，宣布罢朝，满朝文武都为汲黯捏着一把汗，担心他会因此招来大祸。武帝回到宫里以后，对身边的人说，汲黯这个人也未免太粗太直了。

从此以后，汲黯的官职再也没有提升。他当主爵都尉的时候，公孙弘、张汤都还是不起眼的小官，后来，他们一个劲儿住上升，公孙弘当上了丞相，张汤做上了御史大夫，可他汲黯还蹲在原地没动窝。有一天，汲黯对武帝说，陛下使用群臣，跟码劈柴一样，是“后来者居上”啊！汉武帝当然听得出这是发牢骚。于是，转脸对臣下们说：“人真是不能不学习啊！你们听汲黯说话，越来越离谱了！”

故事出自《史记·汲郑列传》。成语“后来居上”，往往指后起的可以胜过先前的。和汲黯说这话的原意，大不相同。

The Latecomers Surpass the Old-timers

This set phrase is derived from the complaints Ji An made to the emperor.

Ji Anlived at the time of Emperor Wudi of the Western Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-A.D.24). He was respected for being upright and just and for daring to speak the truth. He did not bother about amall matters in personal behaviour and in being an official. He was particular about actual effects and ,although he did not cause a stir ,he could keep the prefecture he governed in perfect order. Because of this. the imperial court transferred him to the central government from being the perfect of the Donghai Prefecture to being a commander in charge of the appointment and dismissal of the local officals.

Once,Emperor Wudi said that he would implement the policy of benevolence and justice of Confucianism and would do good turns to the people.Emperor Wudi Had hardly finished his remards when Ji An said that there was no need for the emperor to say so.Why should the emperor bother,Ji An said, about pretending to implement the policy of benevolence and justice since he was so greedy and avaricious within himself? This choked the emperor off. The emperor suddenly Changed his countenance and declared the meeting over. All the civilian and military officers at court were breathless with anxiety for fear that Ji An might bring disaster upon himself because of this. After returning, Emperor Wudi said to the people around him that Ji An was a little too rude and too straightforward.

For this reason ,Ji An was never promoted again. When he was the commander in charge of the appointment and dismissal of the local officials, both Gongsun Hong and Zhang Tang were low -ranking lfficials of little importance. Later ,they were promoted continuously. Gongsun Hong became the prime minister and Zhang Tang became the imperial censor. However, JiAn's post remained thesame. One day, Ji An said to Emperor Wudi that the way the emperor used his ministers was just like piling up firewood, which meant that the latecomers surpassed the old-timers. Of course, Emperor Wudi could see that Ji An was complaining. So,turning to his ministers, Emperor Wudi said, "It is true that no one can stop learning.You see, Ji An is making more and more indiscreet remarks."

This story comes from The Historical Records. Later generations use the set phrase "the latecomers surpass the old-timers " to indica

力不从心

东汉的时候，班超因为明帝的派遣，就率领数十人到西域出使，立下很多的功劳。但是，在西域住了二十七年的班超，年纪大了，身体又不好，很想回家，于是就写了封信，叫他的儿子寄回汉朝，请和帝把他调回来，可是班超一直没有接到答复。所以，他的妹妹班昭又上书给皇帝，说明哥哥的意思。

信中有几句这样的话：「班超在和他一起去西域的人当中，年龄最大，现在已经过了花甲之年，体弱多病，头发斑白，两手不太灵活，耳朵也听不清楚，眼睛不再像以前明亮，要撑着手杖才能走路。如果有突然的暴乱发生，恐怕班超也不能顺着心里的意愿替国家卖力。这样一来，对上会损害国家治理边疆的成果，对下会破坏忠臣好不容易立下的功劳，让人感到难过啊。」被感动的汉和帝，马上下令让班超调回汉朝。等到班超回到洛阳，过不了一个月，就因为胸肋病加重而去世，享年七十一岁。
一暴十寒

春秋战国时期，出现许多家学派，他们各自坚持自己的主张，并到各国游说，宣传自己的学说。这些人不但学问高深、知识丰富，而且能言善辨，往往能说服执政者改变主意。

孟子是当时有名的一位辩士，他帮助齐王施政，看到齐王昏庸、没有主见、轻信小人谗言，很不满，就不客气地对齐王说：“大王，您太不明智了！天下虽有生命力很强、很容易生长的植物，但如果把它放在太阳底下晒一天后，再放在阴寒的地方冻上十天，它还能存活吗？我在大王身边的时间很短，即使您接受我一些好的建议，有了一点从善的决心，但只要我一离开，那些奸臣就会在您面前唱反调，哄骗您，大王又常常轻信他们的谗言，这样怎么能让我有成就呢？”他又作了一个比喻：“下棋是件小事，但如果不专心，同样学不好。奕秋是全国最会下棋的高手，他有两个徒弟。其中一个非常专心学习下棋，处处听从奕秋的指导；另一个心不在焉，一直想着用箭射空中的天鹅。同一个老师，同时学习，但两人的成绩却相差很多。这不是他们的智力不同，而是专心的程度不一样啊！”
孟子用了两个比喻告诉齐王做事情要有恒心，要专心，否则是不会成功的。

风声鹤唳

西晋末年发生内乱，因为长期的动荡不安，最后西晋不幸灭亡，琅琊王司马睿就在建康建立了东晋。当晋朝渡江来到南方，胡人就霸占了北方，不过，北方后来被前秦全部占领，与江南的东晋对立。

当时前秦的首领叫苻坚，他请汉人王猛当他的宰相，一心要让国家变得十分强盛。为了完成统一中国的心愿，苻坚就带着八十万大军攻打南方。晋朝的君臣一听到消息都非常害怕，只有丞相谢安十分镇定，从容不迫地安排打仗的事情。

就在淝水这个地方，谢安趁前秦军队还没集合好，迅速派兵渡河去偷袭前秦的军队。前秦因此输得很惨，士兵到处逃命，听到风声或鹤叫的声音，都以为是晋军要打来了，非常的害怕。在这场战役中，前秦的士兵伤亡惨重，同时决定了南北日后长期对峙的局面。
死灰复燃

西汉时，韩安国是汉景帝与梁孝王身边一个很受欢迎的人。但是他年轻的时候，也曾经发生过一段曲折的故事。

由于受到某件事的牵连，他被送进监狱等最后的判决下来。在监狱里有一个叫田甲的看守，对他非常不礼貌，常常毫不留情地羞辱他。有一次安国被欺负得太过份，就告诉田甲说：「你不要以为我这辈子就没有出人头地的一天，暂时熄了火的灰烬，难道就没有可能再烧起来吗？」田甲得意地说：「如果会的话，我一定会撒泡尿浇熄它。」可是，过了不久，安国无罪释放，而且还当上了大官。这时，田甲只好低头向韩安国认错。
东施效颦

西施是中国历史上的「四大美女」之一，是春秋时期越国人，她的一举一动都十分吸引人，只可惜她的身体不好，有心痛的毛病。有一次，她在河边洗完衣服准备回家，就在回家的路上，突然因为胸口疼痛，所以就她就用手扶住胸口，皱着眉头。虽然她的样子非常难受不舒服，但是见到的村民们却都在称赞，说她这样比平时更美丽。同村有位名叫东施的女孩，因为她的长相并不好看，他看到村里的人都夸赞西施用手扶住的样子很美丽，于是也学着西施的样子扶住胸口，皱着眉头，在人们面前慢慢地走动，以为这样就有人称赞她。她本来就长得丑，再加上刻意地模仿西施的动作，装腔作势的怪样子，让人更加厌恶。有人看到之后，赶紧关上大门；有些人则是急忙拉妻儿躲得远远的，他们比以前更加瞧不起东施了！

东施只知道西施皱着眉的样子美丽，却不知道这是因为西施本身美貌的原因，刻意地去模仿，结果只给后人留下「东施效颦」的笑话
汗流浃背

有一天汉文帝想了解一下国家与人民百姓的事情，于是他就把右丞相周勃找来，问他：“全国一年之中要审理、判决的大大小小案件一共有多少件？”周勃一听楞了一下，低着头，回答汉文帝说不知道。文帝又问：“那么全国上下每年收入和支出的金钱又是多少？”周勃急出一身冷汗，汗水多得把脊背的衣服都弄湿了，因为他还是回答不出来。汉文帝又问左丞相陈平，陈平说：“这些事情都分别有掌管的人，问审理案子的事，有廷尉；问财务的事，有内史，只要把他们都找来，一问就知道了。”汉文帝听了点点头，对陈平的回答十分满意。事后周勃感到非常羞愧，觉得自已反应、机智都不如陈平，于是借着生病想回家乡养老的理由，辞去右丞相的官职。
江郎才尽

南北朝时，有一位名叫江淹的人，他是当时有名的文学家。江淹年轻的时候很有才气，会写文章也能作画。可是当他年老的时候，总是拿着笔，思考了半天，也写不出任何东西。因此，当时人们谣传说：有一天，江淹在凉亭里睡觉，做了一个梦。梦中有一个叫郭璞的人对他说：“我有一支笔放在你那里已经很多年了，现在应该是还给我的时候了。”江淹摸了摸怀里，果然掏出一支五色笔来，于是他就把笔还给郭璞。从此以后，江淹就再也写不出美妙的文章了。因此，人们都说江郎的才华已经用尽了。
不可救药

西周的厉王生活奢侈，残酷的压迫和欺压人民。当时有位忠臣叫凡伯，常常冒死劝谏，希望厉王能改邪归正，但是他不但得不到厉王的重视，反而被奸臣所嘲笑。

凡伯眼看着渐渐衰弱的国势，内心格外焦急，于是就写了一首诗警告这帮小人。诗的大意是说：不是我老了，才说这些不该说的话，而是你们把忧患的事情当做儿戏。忧患还没有到来的时候，还能够防止；但是，一旦忧患越来越多，那就像让火焰熊熊燃烧一样，就没有办法补救了。果然，不久老百姓把周厉王赶到了很远的地方，再也没让他回来过。
约法三章

秦二世是个无能的皇帝，他不但信任奸臣赵高，而且还杀了许多忠心的大臣。老百姓都过得很不好，因此，到处都有人起来反抗。而刘邦和项羽就是归属于楚怀王的军队中。

有一天，楚怀王对刘邦和项羽说：「你们谁要是先进入关中，谁就可以称王。」于是，刘邦和项羽分别带着军队像西路和北路出发。

一路上，刘邦没有受到什么阻力，还打了几场胜仗，顺利进了关中。不过，刘邦一进入咸阳城后，显现原本贪酒好色的本性，一直待在宫里不肯出来，完全忘了自己的目的。等到张良去劝他，他才恍然大悟，赶快召集关中父老、英雄们开会，和他们做了三个约定 — 杀人者死，伤人及盗抵罪，剩下的都可以废掉秦朝法律。

所有的官吏和以前一样平安无事，百姓们得知也都很高兴，四处宣传：「如果刘沛公可以回到关东，那么我们老百姓就有好日子过了。」因此，刘邦很顺利地收买了关中的人心。
投笔从戎

班超是东汉一个很有名气的将军，他从小就很用功，对未来也充满了理想。有一天，他正在抄写文件的时候，写着写着，突然觉得很闷，忍不住站起来，丢下笔说：「大丈夫应该像傅介子、张骞那样，在战场上立下功劳，怎么可以在这种抄抄写写的小事中浪费生命呢！」

傅介子和张骞两个人，生在西汉，曾经出使西域，替西汉立下无数功劳。

因此，班超决定学习傅介子、张骞，为国家奉献自己。后来，他当上一名军官，在对匈奴的战争中，得到胜利。接着，他建议和西域各国来往，以便共同对付匈奴。朝廷采取他的建议，就派他带着数十人出使西域。在西域的三十多年中，他靠着智慧和胆量，度过各式各样的危机。

班超一生总共到过五十多个国家，和这些国家保持和平，也同时宣扬了汉朝的国威。