📖 Meaning
It refers to using rough, uncarved wooden rafters when building a house, symbolizing an extremely frugal and simple way of life. The idiom is traditionally associated with legendary sage rulers who lived modestly despite holding supreme power.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the chapter 'Five Vermin' (《五蠹》) in the Warring States text 'Han Feizi,' which describes how the sage emperor Yao governed the world: his thatched roof was left untrimmed and his rafters were not carved or polished. The Han dynasty statesman and poet Cao Cao later referenced it in his poem 'Crossing the Mountains' (《度关山》), praising Yao's legendary frugality as a moral example meant to inspire and reform public customs.
💡 Example Usage
古之圣王采椽不斫，以俭德化天下。
The sage kings of antiquity used uncarved rafters, transforming the realm through the virtue of frugality.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 采椽不斫
- Pinyin: cǎi chuán bù zhuó
- Literal Translation: gather, rafter, not, carve
- Category: Lifestyle
- Characters: 4