📖 Meaning
Literally 'to see the fish in a deep pool,' this idiom describes someone who is excessively shrewd and perceptive, able to see through even the most hidden intentions of others. It implies that such extreme cleverness is inauspicious and can bring trouble upon oneself, since those who see too clearly are often resented or endangered. The idiom warns against being overly sharp and merciless in scrutinizing people.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom derives from the Records of the Grand Historian (《史记》), the monumental history compiled by Sima Qian in the Western Han dynasty. In the biography of Liu Bi, King of Wu (吴王濞列传), the phrase '察见渊鱼，不祥' ('to see the fish in the deep water is inauspicious') is quoted as an admonition. It cautions that a person so perceptive that he can discern everything hidden in the depths, like fish at the bottom of a pool, courts misfortune. A closely related variant, '察见渊鱼者不祥，智料隐匿者有殃,' also appears in the Liezi (《列子·说符》), reinforcing the same idea that excessive cleverness invites calamity.
💡 Example Usage
他凡事都要察见渊鱼，反让人敬而远之。
He insists on seeing through everything down to the last detail, which only makes people keep their distance.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 察见渊鱼
- Pinyin: chá jiàn yuān yú
- Literal Translation: perceive, see, deep pool, fish
- Category: Wisdom
- Characters: 4