求贤若渴 — “Crave for talent as one thirsts for water”
求贤若渴 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to eagerly seek out and recruit talented individuals with extreme urgency and desire, as if one is thirsty for water; to be desperate for capable people”. Literally, “Crave for talent as one thirsts for water”.
求贤若渴 Pronunciation and Pinyin
求贤若渴 Character Breakdown
Stroke OrderExample Sentence with 求贤若渴
Origin and Story of 求贤若渴
During the Warring States period, Duke Xian of Jin used jade and a fine horse to bribe the State of Yu, gaining passage to conquer the State of Guo. He then destroyed both Guo and Yu, capturing Bai Lixi, a high official from Yu.
Duke Xian of Jin later sent Bai Lixi to the State of Chu as a slave, part of a dowry. Hearing of Bai Lixi's extraordinary talent, Duke Mu of Qin spared no effort to retrieve him. He famously exchanged Bai Lixi for merely five sheepskins, recognizing his immense value beyond his humble status. Duke Mu then deeply consulted with Bai Lixi on matters of state.
Later, Bai Lixi recommended Jian Shu, another wise and capable individual, to Duke Mu. Showing his immense eagerness to attract talented people, Duke Mu welcomed Jian Shu with great respect and generous gifts, immediately appointing him as a senior official.
This historical event illustrates the spirit of "求贤若渴," where a ruler desperately seeks and values capable individuals.
Idioms Related to 求贤若渴
Synonyms of 求贤若渴
Antonyms of 求贤若渴
More idioms starting with 求
- qiú求sān三bài拜sì四repeatedly beg for help
- qiú求zhī之bù不dé得Exactly what one has been wishing for
- qiú求qīn亲gào告yǒu友seek help from relatives and friends
- qiú求qīn亲kào靠yǒu友seek help from relatives and friends
- qiú求rén人bù不rú如qiú求jǐ己Self-help is the best help
- qiú求rén仁dé得rén仁achieve one's noble aspirations
- qiú求quán全zhī之huǐ毁slander from seeking perfection
- qiú求quán全zé责bèi备demand perfection; be overly critical
- qiú求qí其yǒu友shēng声seek like-minded friends
- qiú求tóng同cún存yì异seek common ground, preserve differences
- qiú求míng名duó夺lì利pursue fame and scramble for profit
- qiú求míng名qiú求lì利pursue fame and fortune
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Open the tool →Questions about 求贤若渴
What does 求贤若渴 mean?
求贤若渴 (qiú xián ruò kě) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to eagerly seek out and recruit talented individuals with extreme urgency and desire, as if one is thirsty for water; to be desperate for capable people”.
How do you pronounce 求贤若渴?
求贤若渴 is pronounced qiú xián ruò kě in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 求贤若渴 literally mean?
Literally, 求贤若渴 means “Crave for talent as one thirsts for water”. It is used to mean “to eagerly seek out and recruit talented individuals with extreme urgency and desire, as if one is thirsty for water; to be desperate for capable people”.
Where does 求贤若渴 come from?
求贤若渴 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 求贤若渴?
象口渴思饮那样访求贤士。形容罗致人才的迫切。