📖 Meaning
Describes the extreme filial devotion of Lao Laizi, who amused his aged parents by behaving like a baby. It is used to praise children who go out of their way to bring joy and comfort to their elderly parents.
📜 Origin Story
The story comes from Western Han scholar Liu Xiang's work Biographies of Exemplary Women (列女传). Lao Laizi, a recluse of the Chu state during the Spring and Autumn period, was deeply filial toward his parents. Even at seventy years of age, he dressed in five-colored clothes and capered about like a baby so his parents would feel young and happy. Once, carrying a bucket of water up to the hall, he tripped and fell; rather than rise, he lay on the floor crying like an infant so his parents would laugh instead of worrying.
💡 Example Usage
他年近花甲，仍常扮作孩童模样逗父母开心，真有老莱娱亲之风。
Though nearly sixty, he often plays the child to amuse his parents, truly embodying the spirit of Lao Laizi amusing his parents.
🏷️ Category
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🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 老莱娱亲
- Pinyin: lǎo lái yú qīn
- Literal Translation: old, Laizi, amuse, parents
- Category: Morality
- Characters: 4