📖 Meaning
The anger of the masses is difficult to provoke or oppose. It warns that one should not act against the will of the people, as public outrage is a force that cannot be safely challenged. Used to caution against decisions that would antagonize a group.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the Zuo Zhuan (左传), Chronicle of Duke Xiang, Year 10 (5th century BCE). During the Spring and Autumn period, the state of Zheng faced internal political strife. A nobleman sought to consolidate power through a single-minded scheme, but a wise official warned him that 'public anger is hard to offend, and selfish desires are hard to fulfill.' Combining these two difficulties would not bring peace to the state but rather danger. The idiom has since been used to advise rulers and leaders to respect collective sentiment.
💡 Example Usage
你们来意甚善，只是众怒难犯，赶快去吧。
Your intentions are good, but public anger is not something one can risk provoking—you had better leave quickly.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 众怒难犯
- Pinyin: zhòng nù nán fàn
- Literal Translation: crowd, anger, difficult, to offend
- Category: Wisdom
- Characters: 4