使功不如使过 — “To use those with merits is not as good as to use those with faults”
使功不如使过 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “it is often more beneficial to employ individuals who have made errors and are eager to correct them and make amends, rather than solely relying on those who have always achieved success, as the former might be more motivated to prove themselves”. Literally, “To use those with merits is not as good as to use those with faults”.
使功不如使过 Pronunciation and Pinyin
使功不如使过 Character Breakdown
Stroke OrderExample Sentence with 使功不如使过
Origin and Story of 使功不如使过
During the late Xin Dynasty, the people, enduring immense oppression from Wang Mang, launched a nationwide uprising, leading to the enthronement of Liu Xuan as Emperor Gengshi. After his ascension, Emperor Gengshi aimed to cultivate a benevolent image and consequently sent investigators to uncover corruption and malfeasance by the Administrator of Dong Commandery.
A subordinate official, Suo Lufang, approached the investigators to intercede on behalf of those implicated. He contended that the nation required stability and that, in accordance with the principle that 'it is better to employ those who have made errors than those with achievements' (使功不如使过), these individuals should be given an opportunity to atone for their transgressions through meritorious service.
Idioms Related to 使功不如使过
More idioms starting with 使
- shǐ使guāi乖nòng弄qiǎo巧to resort to cunning tricks
- shǐ使zuǐ嘴shǐ使shé舌gossip and sow discord
- shǐ使xīn心zuò作xìng倖to scheme and plot
- shǐ使xīn心zuò作xìng幸to scheme for advantage
- shǐ使xīn心bié别qì气lose one's temper
- shǐ使xīn心yòng用xìng倖act with ulterior motives
- shǐ使xīn心yòng用xìng幸use cunning schemes
- shǐ使xīn心yòng用fù腹to scheme with ill intentions
- shǐ使xìng性bàng傍qì气lose one's temper and vent anger
- shǐ使xìng性guàn掼qì气throw a tantrum
- shǐ使xìng性bàng谤qì气lose one's temper and vent anger
- shǐ使yú愚shǐ使guò过utilize individual traits for one's purpose
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Open the tool →Questions about 使功不如使过
What does 使功不如使过 mean?
使功不如使过 (shǐ gōng bù rú shǐ guò) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “it is often more beneficial to employ individuals who have made errors and are eager to correct them and make amends, rather than solely relying on those who have always achieved success, as the former might be more motivated to prove themselves”.
How do you pronounce 使功不如使过?
使功不如使过 is pronounced shǐ gōng bù rú shǐ guò in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 使功不如使过 literally mean?
Literally, 使功不如使过 means “to use those with merits is not as good as to use those with faults”. It is used to mean “it is often more beneficial to employ individuals who have made errors and are eager to correct them and make amends, rather than solely relying on those who have always achieved success, as the former might be more motivated to prove themselves”.
Where does 使功不如使过 come from?
使功不如使过 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 使功不如使过?
使：用。使用有功绩的人，不如使用有过失的人，使其能将功补过。