qí齐dà大fēi非ǒu偶
To decline a marriage proposal or alliance from someone of significantly higher social status or power, expressing that one's own position is too humble to be a suitable match.
Era:
Early Modern
Frequency:
Synonym:
Story:
During the Spring and Autumn period, the ruler of the powerful state of Qi wished to marry his daughter, Wen Jiang, to Prince Hu of the comparatively weaker state of Zheng.
Prince Hu, apprehensive of a possible ruse, courteously refused the proposal. Others were puzzled by his decision and asked for his reasons.
He explained that everyone has a match appropriate for them. Qi is exceedingly powerful, and we are not on par in terms of family or status. How could such a marriage ever be suitable?