📖 Meaning
Through different paths, one arrives at the same destination. It is a metaphor for taking different approaches yet achieving the same result.
📜 Origin Story
This phrase originates from the 'Xici' (Appended Remarks) commentary of the 'Yijing' (Book of Changes), a foundational text of the Zhou dynasty attributed to Confucius and his followers. The original passage reads, 'All under heaven return to the same destination though by different paths, and arrive at one conclusion though through a hundred deliberations.' It conveys the philosophical insight that diverse methods and lines of reasoning can ultimately lead to a unified truth or outcome.
💡 Example Usage
解决这道数学题的方法有很多，但同归殊途，答案只有一个。
There are many ways to solve this math problem, but all roads lead to the same destination—there is only one correct answer.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 同归殊途
- Pinyin: tóng guī shū tú
- Literal Translation: same, return, different, path
- Category: Philosophy
- Characters: 4