📖 Meaning
This idiom describes a situation where too many conflicting opinions make it difficult to accomplish anything. It metaphorically refers to the failure that results when everyone offers different advice and no firm decision can be reached. It warns against endlessly consulting others instead of acting decisively.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom is recorded in the Song Dynasty primer 《幼学琼林·卷三·人事类》, which states '作舍道旁，议论多而难成' (building a house by the roadside, with much discussion it is hard to complete). Its root lies even earlier in the 《诗经·小雅·小旻》, which laments that 'building a house by consulting passers-by on the road leads to no completion.' The underlying story tells of a man who wished to construct a house beside a road and asked every traveler for advice; each gave conflicting opinions, so after years the house remained unbuilt.
💡 Example Usage
此事若作舍道旁，听任众人议论，终究难成。
If we let this matter become like building a house by the roadside, listening to everyone's opinions, it will ultimately be impossible to accomplish.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 作舍道旁
- Pinyin: zuò shě dào páng
- Literal Translation: build, house, road, side
- Category: Wisdom
- Characters: 4