📖 Meaning
To follow the circumstances of the times and preserve oneself in obscurity. Originally praising King Wu of Zhou for顺应时势 and biding his time before acting, it now means to temporarily retreat into seclusion and wait for the right opportunity.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the 'Classic of Poetry' (诗经), in the Zhou Odes section, poem 'Zhuo' (酌): '于铄王师，遵养时晦' — 'Oh, splendid was the royal army; it followed the times and preserved during obscurity.' The original context glorified King Wu of Zhou's wisdom in顺应时势, conserving strength and waiting for the right moment before overthrowing the Shang dynasty. Over centuries the wording shifted to 遵时养晦, and its usage broadened to describe anyone who temporarily withdraws from public life to await a favorable moment.
💡 Example Usage
面对强敌，他选择遵时养晦，暗中积蓄力量。
Facing a formidable enemy, he chose to follow the times and lie low, quietly building up his strength.
🏷️ Category
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🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 遵时养晦
- Pinyin: zūn shí yǎng huì
- Literal Translation: follow, times, nourish, obscurity
- Category: Wisdom
- Characters: 4