📖 Meaning
To strip away external adornments and artificiality, restoring one's original natural essence. It describes a return to a state of unadorned authenticity and plain simplicity, often after a period of pursuit of superficial things.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from the Warring States period text 'Strategies of the Warring States, Qi Strategies IV' (《战国策·齐策四》), where it is written: 'Return to truth and revert to simplicity, and you will never suffer disgrace in life' (归真反璞，则终身不辱). This counsel was offered to persuade a nobleman to live a life of unpretentious integrity rather than chasing worldly honors. The concept was later deeply embraced by Daoist philosophy, particularly in the teachings of Laozi and Zhuangzi, who advocated returning to the 'uncarved block' (璞) — the primordial state of pure, unspoiled nature.
💡 Example Usage
退休后他返朴归真，在乡下种菜养花，日子过得格外自在。
After retiring, he returned to simplicity and authenticity, growing vegetables and tending flowers in the countryside, living with remarkable ease and contentment.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 返朴归真
- Pinyin: fǎn pǔ guī zhēn
- Literal Translation: return, simplicity, revert, truth
- Category: Philosophy
- Characters: 4