📖 Meaning
A metaphor for possessing an extraordinarily rich collection of books, or for being deeply devoted to reading and book collecting. It conveys that owning a vast library is as glorious as ruling a hundred cities.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the 'Book of Wei' (魏书), specifically in the biography of Li Mi (李谧) in the 'Biographies of Recluses' (逸士传) section. Li Mi was a scholar of the Northern Wei dynasty who was passionately devoted to learning and books. He famously declared, 'A man who holds ten thousand volumes of books — what need has he to sit facing south over a hundred cities?' (referring to the emperor's throne position). The phrase elevates the value of knowledge and books above political power and territorial wealth.
💡 Example Usage
老先生一生嗜书如命，虽拥书百城却从不炫耀。
The old gentleman loved books all his life; though he owned a veritable library of a hundred cities, he never showed off.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 拥书百城
- Pinyin: yōng shū bǎi chéng
- Literal Translation: embrace, books, hundred, cities
- Category: Knowledge
- Characters: 4