📖 Meaning
To rise above worldly affairs and voluntarily withdraw from contention or office. It describes a person who, having understood the limits of fortune and power, chooses to step back with dignity and detachment.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the preface to 'Ode on the Heroic Men' (《豪士赋序》) by Lu Ji (陆机), a renowned literatus of the Western Jin dynasty (晋朝). In the preface, Lu Ji reflects on the philosophy of knowing when to retreat: he argues that those who comprehend the way of heaven (天道) understand that fullness cannot endure and perfection cannot be surpassed. Such a person should therefore withdraw with dignity, bowing out with hands clasped high in farewell.
💡 Example Usage
功成名就之后，他选择超然自引，远离朝堂纷争。
Having achieved success and fame, he chose to transcendently withdraw, distancing himself from the court's conflicts.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 超然自引
- Pinyin: chāo rán zì yǐn
- Literal Translation: transcendently, thus, self, withdraw
- Category: Attitude
- Characters: 4