囊里盛锥 — “True talent will eventually reveal itself”
囊里盛锥 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “True talent will eventually reveal itself”. Or an opportunity should be given to talented individuals to showcase their skills. Literally, “an awl in a bag”.
囊里盛锥 Pronunciation and Pinyin
囊里盛锥 Character Breakdown
Stroke OrderExample Sentence with 囊里盛锥
Origin and Story of 囊里盛锥
During the Warring States period, Lord Pingyuan of Zhao State had many retainers, one of whom was Mao Sui. When Lord Pingyuan was about to lead an envoy to Chu State to seek military aid against Qin, he intended to choose twenty wise and brave retainers. He had chosen nineteen, but still needed one more. Mao Sui, who had been overlooked for three years, volunteered to go.
Lord Pingyuan doubted him, saying: "A worthy man living in the world is like an awl in a bag; its sharp point will immediately show itself. You have been my retainer for three years, but I have never heard of your accomplishments." Mao Sui replied: "That is because I have never been placed in a bag! If I had been, I would have distinguished myself long ago."
Lord Pingyuan was persuaded and took Mao Sui with him. During the negotiations with the King of Chu, when others failed to persuade him, Mao Sui stepped forward and, through his eloquent and firm argument, successfully convinced the King of Chu to form an alliance and send troops to aid Zhao.
This event showed that a truly talented person, once given the opportunity, will surely demonstrate their abilities.
Idioms Related to 囊里盛锥
Synonyms of 囊里盛锥
More idioms starting with 囊
- náng囊zhōng中qǔ取wù物effortless to accomplish
- náng囊zhōng中xiū羞sè涩short of money
- náng囊xiá匣rú如xǐ洗utterly destitute
- náng囊dǐ底zhì智deep wisdom and resourcefulness
- náng囊kuò括sì四hǎi海unify vast territories
- náng囊kuò括wú无yí遗encompass everything without omission
- náng囊tuó橐chōng充yíng盈bags and pockets full
- náng囊tuó橐léi累léi累laden with possessions
- náng囊tuó橐xiāo萧rán然completely penniless
- náng囊tuó橐xiāo萧sè瑟penniless with an empty purse
- náng囊lòu漏chǔ储zhōng中benefits stay within the system
- náng囊lòu漏zhù贮zhōng中internal transfer, no actual loss
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Open the tool →Questions about 囊里盛锥
What does 囊里盛锥 mean?
囊里盛锥 (náng lǐ shèng zhuī) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “True talent will eventually reveal itself”.
How do you pronounce 囊里盛锥?
囊里盛锥 is pronounced náng lǐ shèng zhuī in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 囊里盛锥 literally mean?
Literally, 囊里盛锥 means “an awl in a bag”. It is used to mean “True talent will eventually reveal itself”.
Where does 囊里盛锥 come from?
囊里盛锥 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 囊里盛锥?
指让有才能的人得到机会表现自己。