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Synopsis
A famous Chinese idiom about a farmer who waited by a tree stump hoping another rabbit would crash into it.
Meaning
Shou Zhu Dai Tu literally means guarding a tree stump waiting for a rabbit. It criticizes those who passively wait for good fortune instead of taking active effort.
The Story
A farmer in the state of Song was working when a rabbit accidentally ran into a tree stump and died. From that day on, he put down his farming tools and sat by the stump every day hoping for another rabbit. No rabbit ever came again, and his field went to waste.
Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Pinyin | shou zhu dai tu |
| Source | Han Feizi |
| Date | ~250 BCE |
References
- Han Feizi
- Dictionary of Chinese Idioms
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