虛與委蛇

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Chinese

devoid of content; void; false
devoid of content; void; false; empty; vain
 
and; to give; together with
and; to give; together with; take part in; (interrog. part.)
 
 calm and contented; leisurely; graceful
trad. (虛與委蛇) 虛 與 委蛇
simp. (虚与委蛇) 虚 与 委蛇

Etymology

From the book Zhuangzi:

鄉吾示之以未始出吾宗，吾與之虛而委蛇。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
乡吾示之以未始出吾宗，吾与之虚而委蛇。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Zhuangzi, circa 3rd – 2nd centuries BCE
Xiàng wú shì zhī yǐ wèi shǐ chū wú zōng, wú yǔ zhī xū ér wēiyí.
I was showing him myself after the pattern of what was before I began to come from my author. I confronted him with pure vacancy, and an easy indifference.

Pronunciation

Idiom

虛與委蛇

  1. sham politeness and compliance; courtesy without sincerity; false civility
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