📖 Meaning
Whatever one says and whatever plans one proposes are adopted and acted upon. It describes someone who is deeply trusted by a superior, so that their counsel carries decisive weight. The phrase emphasizes both being heard and being obeyed.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the 'Biography of Sima Guang' in the History of Song (《宋史·司马光传》). After Emperor Zhezong ascended the throne, the veteran statesman Sima Guang was recalled to court to lead the government. Seeing that his words were now heeded and his proposals followed, Guang resolved to devote his life entirely to the welfare of the state. The original line records his sentiment: 'Guang, seeing his words heeded and plans followed, wished to lay down his life for the dynasty.' From this the idiom came to denote a minister or advisor whose counsel a ruler fully trusts and enacts.
💡 Example Usage
皇上对这位老臣言行计从，朝廷大事皆依其议而行。
The emperor trusted this veteran minister so completely that his every word and plan was followed, and all major affairs of the court were settled according to his counsel.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 言行计从
- Pinyin: yán xíng jì cóng
- Literal Translation: words, actions, plans, follow
- Category: Leadership
- Characters: 4