暴虎冯河 — “To act with brute courage and recklessness”

Zhong You, courtesy name Zilu, was known for his courage and strength from a young age.

Later, Zilu became a student of Confucius. Confucius once told others, "Since I have had Zilu, no one has dared to speak ill of me to my face."

Zilu was not fond of studying. When Confucius urged him, he said, "The bamboo of Mount Nan is straight without processing; if cut to make arrows, it can pierce rhinoceros hide. What's the use of studying?" Confucius replied, "If you attach feathers and an arrowhead to it, it will fly even further." Zilu did not heed his advice.

One time, Zilu asked, "Master, if you were to command an army, whom would you want with you?" Confucius said, "I do not like those who would attack a tiger unarmed and cross a river without a boat (暴虎冯河), people who are self-proclaimed brave and unafraid of death. I prefer someone who is good at thinking calmly when facing challenges and strives by all means to succeed."

Later, Zilu became an official in the state of Wei. In 480 BCE, civil strife broke out in Wei, and many people died. Confucius, upon hearing of it, said, "Alas, Zilu will face trouble this time!" As expected, Zilu rushed back to the capital alone, adamantly demanding punishment for those who caused the rebellion, and was ultimately killed.