yú逾huái淮wèi为zhǐ枳
The nature or character of things changes with the environment; what is good in one place may become bad in another, emphasizing the significant influence of surroundings.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Synonym:
Story:
During the Spring and Autumn period, Yan Ying, a high-ranking official from the State of Qi, was sent as an envoy to the State of Chu.
The King of Chu, seeing his short stature, mocked him.
He then had a thief brought in and claimed he was from Qi.
Yan Ying responded, "Everyone knows that an orange tree becomes a trifoliate orange once it crosses the Huai River. People from Qi become thieves when they come to Chu; it is merely a change in environment."
His clever retort impressed the King of Chu, who then treated him with high respect.