A word once spoken cannot be recalled; what is said cannot be unsaid and must be honored.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Synonym:
Story:
During the Five Dynasties period, Shi Jingtang rebelled against the Tang Dynasty and was established as the "emperor son" of the Jin state by Yelü Deguang, the Khitan king.
After Shi Jingtang's death, his son Shi Chongguang succeeded him as Emperor Chu. In 944, the Khitan forces invaded the Jin state. Emperor Chu led his army to resist but was defeated.
Empress Dowager Li then wrote a letter of surrender, pleading with the Khitan emperor (whom she referred to as "Emperor Father") to spare their lives, emphasizing that her words were like a spoken oath that even a four-horse team could not overtake (驷马难追), meaning they were irreversible and dependable.