yù鹬bàng蚌xiāng相chí持,,yú渔rén人dé得lì利
When two parties are locked in a dispute, refusing to yield, a third party often benefits from their conflict.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Synonym:
Story:
During the Warring States period, the State of Zhao was preparing to attack the State of Yan. King Yan sent Su Dai to Zhao to persuade King Zhao against war.
Su Dai told a story about a clam on the riverbank that clamped onto a snipe's long beak. Neither the snipe nor the clam would give way, each thinking the other would eventually tire out. In the end, a fisherman came along and easily caught both of them.
Su Dai warned King Zhao that if Zhao and Yan went to war, the State of Qin would be like the fisherman, easily conquering both. King Zhao, understanding the wisdom in the story, abandoned his plan to attack Yan.