Extremely anxious or worried; consumed by anxiety; in a state of extreme urgency.
Era:
Early Modern
Frequency:
Story:
During the Spring and Autumn period, the political power of the State of Lu was controlled by the three powerful families: Jisun, Mengsun, and Shusun. Duke Ding of Lu became merely a puppet ruler. He was deeply troubled and anxious about the state of his country and its people, consumed by anxiety ("心急如焚").
Hearing that Confucius was lecturing and advocating for the proper order between ruler and minister, Duke Ding summoned him. Confucius analyzed the internal and external challenges faced by the State of Lu. He advised the Duke to form an alliance with the State of Qi externally and to reassert his authority internally, proposing a series of measures to achieve this.