Originally described a sincere and modest demeanor; now commonly used to describe being utterly empty or having nothing at all.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Antonym:
Story:
During the Spring and Autumn period, Confucius was widely admired for his profound knowledge. However, he often humbly denied being exceptionally learned.
He once remarked that when he visited the countryside, he saw farmers skillfully carrying out their daily tasks. On one occasion, a farmer asked him about the meaning of "空空如也" (kōng kōng rú yě).
Confucius, known for his deep contemplation, pondered the phrase, which originally described a sincere and modest state of mind. He then offered his profound interpretation, emphasizing the importance of an open, humble mind, ready to absorb new knowledge, much like an empty vessel.
This idiom thus came to represent not only being utterly empty (in its later usage) but also a spirit of humility and sincerity.