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左右逢源. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
左右逢源, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
左右逢源 in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
左右逢源 you have here. The definition of the word
左右逢源 will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
左右逢源, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Chinese
Etymology
From Mencius (《孟子·離婁下》):
孟子曰：「君子深造之以道，欲其自得之也。自得之，則居之安；居之安，則資之深；資之深，則取之左右逢其原，故君子欲其自得之也。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
孟子曰：「君子深造之以道，欲其自得之也。自得之，则居之安；居之安，则资之深；资之深，则取之左右逢其原，故君子欲其自得之也。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]- From: Mencius, c. 4th century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
- Mèngzǐ yuē: “Jūnzǐ shēnzào zhī yǐ dào, yù qí zì dé zhī yě. Zì dé zhī, zé jū zhī ān; jū zhī ān, zé zī zhī shēn; zī zhī shēn, zé qǔ zhī zuǒyòu féng qí yuán, gù jūnzǐ yù qí zì dé zhī yě.”
- Mencius said, "The superior man makes his advances in what he is learning with deep earnestness and by the proper course, wishing to get hold of it as in himself. Having got hold of it in himself, he abides in it calmly and firmly. Abiding in it calmly and firmly, he reposes a deep reliance on it. Reposing a deep reliance on it, he seizes it on the left and right, meeting everywhere with it as a fountain from which things flow. It is on this account that the superior man wishes to get hold of what he is learning as in himself."
Pronunciation
Idiom
左右逢源
- (figurative) to be able to achieve success one way or another; to have everything going one's way
- (figurative) to butter one's bread on both sides; to be tactful and win advantage from both sides