📖 Meaning
The idiom originally describes how even a notorious robber's dog would bite at the sage king Yao—not because it judges Yao as wicked, but because a dog attacks anyone who is not its own master. It later came to serve as a metaphor for jealousy and hostility toward virtuous or talented people.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase traces to 'Strategies of the Warring States' (《战国策·齐策六》), where the official Diao Bo remarks that 'the dog of Zhi (a legendary brigand) barks at Yao (a legendary sage king), not because it esteems Zhi and despises Yao, but because a dog naturally barks at those who are not its master.' The remark explained that a minister loyally serves whoever employs him, regardless of that master's moral standing. Over time the expression shifted to convey envy and attacks directed at the virtuous.
💡 Example Usage
他嫉贤妒能，蹠犬噬尧，终被众人所弃。
Jealous of the talented and capable, he bit at the virtuous like Zhi's dog and was ultimately abandoned by everyone.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 蹠犬噬尧
- Pinyin: zhí quǎn shì yáo
- Literal Translation: Zhi's, dog, bites, Yao
- Category: Attitude
- Characters: 4