📖 Meaning
Even a foolish person, after a thousand considerations, may occasionally arrive at something worthwhile. It is used as a humble expression when offering one's own opinion or advice, acknowledging that one's insight is modest at best.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the 'Yanzi Chunqiu' (Annals of Master Yan), a work chronicling the words and deeds of Yan Ying, a renowned statesman of the State of Qi during the Spring and Autumn period. Yan Ying said: 'A sage, after a thousand deliberations, will surely have one miss; a foolish person, after a thousand deliberations, will surely have one gain.' The saying conveys humility, reminding listeners that even the wisest can err and even the most ordinary person can occasionally offer valuable insight.
💡 Example Usage
我的建议不过是千虑一得，仅供您参考。
My suggestion is but a humble insight from much deliberation, offered for your reference only.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 千虑一得
- Pinyin: qiān lǜ yī dé
- Literal Translation: thousand, considerations, one, gain
- Category: Wisdom
- Characters: 4