If this can be tolerated, what cannot? This idiom implies that something has reached an absolutely intolerable or unbearable point, pushing one's patience to its limit.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Synonym:
Story:
During the late Spring and Autumn period, Ji Sunshi, a powerful noble in the State of Lu, manipulated state affairs, exiling Duke Zhao of Lu to the State of Qi and Duke Ai of Lu to the State of Wei.
His audacity knew no bounds: he even staged the 'Bayi' dance, a grand eight-row dance performance typically reserved for the Son of Heaven or a prince, in his private courtyard. This was a grave violation of the Zhou rites.
Confucius, utterly indignant, declared, 'If this can be tolerated – the eight-row dance performed in his courtyard – then what cannot be tolerated?'