Chinese Idiom: Cover Ears to Steal a Bell (Yan Er Dao Ling)

Synopsis

Yan Er Dao Ling is a Chinese idiom meaning self-deception, from a story of a thief who covered his own ears while stealing a bell, thinking others could not hear.

The Story

The idiom Cover Ears to Steal a Bell comes from Lu Shi Chun Qiu. During the Spring and Autumn period, a thief wanted to steal a large bronze bell. The bell was too heavy to carry, so he decided to smash it with a hammer. The moment he struck, the bell rang loudly. Afraid others would hear, he covered his own ears, thinking that if he could not hear it, no one else could either.

Definition

Moral

This idiom satirizes people who think that if they ignore a problem, it does not exist. Objective facts do not disappear because of subjective evasion.

References

1. Baidu Baike: Yan Er Dao Ling
2. ZDIC: Chinese Dictionary
3. Lu Shi Chun Qiu