坐而论道 — “To engage in theoretical discussions without practical application”
坐而论道 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to engage in theoretical discussions without practical application”. To talk big without taking action; to indulge in empty theorizing. Literally, “Sit and discuss principles”.
坐而论道 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- 坐zuò
- 而ér
- 论lùn
- 道dào
坐而论道 Character Breakdown
Example Sentence with 坐而论道
Origin and Story of 坐而论道
During the Spring and Autumn period, Confucius, after encountering difficulties while traveling with his disciples through various states, finally returned to his home state of Lu with the help of Ran Qiu. He chose not to collaborate with Ji Kangzi.
Instead, he dedicated himself to writing and compiling, editing 'The Book of Songs,' 'The Book of Documents,' 'The Book of Rites,' and 'The Book of Music,' and authoring 'The Spring and Autumn Annals' from his own perspective.
At the same time, he established a platform for teaching, where he would sit and discuss principles with his disciples. At one point, his disciples numbered as many as 3,000.
Idioms Related to 坐而论道
Antonyms of 坐而论道
More idioms starting with 坐
- zuò坐shàng上qín琴xīn心man's deep love for a woman
- zuò坐bù不chuí垂táng堂avoid dangerous places or situations
- zuò坐bù不ān安xí席too anxious to sit still
- zuò坐bù不kuī窥táng堂sit properly without looking around
- zuò坐bù不chóng重xí席live a frugal and simple life
- zuò坐yú于tú涂tàn炭to be in a wretched and filthy state
- zuò坐jǐng井kuī窥tiān天to have a very limited outlook
- zuò坐jǐng井guān观tiān天have a limited outlook
- zuò坐xiǎng享qí其gōng功enjoy others' hard work
- zuò坐xiǎng享qí其chéng成enjoy others' achievements without effort
- zuò坐yǐ以dài待wáng亡sit idly and await doom
- zuò坐yǐ以dài待dàn旦sit awaiting daybreak diligently
Questions about 坐而论道
- What does 坐而论道 mean?
- 坐而论道 (zuò ér lùn dào) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to engage in theoretical discussions without practical application”.
- How do you pronounce 坐而论道?
- 坐而论道 is pronounced zuò ér lùn dào in Mandarin Chinese.
- What does 坐而论道 literally mean?
- Literally, 坐而论道 means “Sit and discuss principles”. It is used to mean “to engage in theoretical discussions without practical application”.
- Where does 坐而论道 come from?
- 坐而论道 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
- What is the Chinese definition of 坐而论道?
- 坐着空谈大道理。指口头说说，不见行动。