jú橘huà化wéi为zhǐ枳
To illustrate how a person's character can deteriorate or change for the worse due to the influence of an unfavorable environment.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Story:
During the Spring and Autumn period, Yan Ying, a renowned diplomat from the State of Qi, was often discriminated against due to his short stature and plain appearance.
Once, when Yan Ying was on a diplomatic mission to the State of Chu, the King of Chu intentionally tried to humiliate him by saying that all people from Qi were thieves.
Yan Ying seriously replied, "Orange trees grown south of the Huai River yield sweet oranges, but when transplanted north of the Huai River, their fruit turns into trifoliate oranges ("."The King of Chu was left speechless.