A judgment once made is unchangeable, even if something as stable as the Southern Mountain could be moved; refers to an absolutely firm and immutable decision or ruling.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Synonym:
Story:
During the reign of Emperor Ruizong of Tang, Princess Taiping was arrogant and behaved unscrupulously, extensively seizing people's property.
One day, her subordinates forcibly took a millstone from a farmer's home.
The farmer reported the incident to the Yongzhou prefecture, where Li Yuanhong, the registrar, ruled that the millstone should be returned to the farmer.
Li's superior, Dou Huai, fearing to offend Princess Taiping, personally ordered Li Yuanhong to alter his judgment.
Li Yuanhong, filled with righteous indignation, firmly told Dou Huai that 'the Southern Mountain could be moved, but the judgment could not be shaken,' refusing to change his impartial ruling.