







朽木粪墙 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “refers to a person who is beyond salvage or has no potential for improvement; someone lacking moral fiber or ability, likened to rotten wood that cannot be carved or a dirt wall that cannot be plastered”. Literally, “rotten wood and a dirt wall”.
During the Spring and Autumn period, Zai Yu, a disciple of Confucius, was very eloquent. Confucius was fond of him and believed he would achieve great things.
However, it wasn't long before Confucius discovered that Zai Yu frequently skipped classes. When someone was sent to look for him, he was found sleeping soundly in his room.
Upon learning this, Confucius sadly remarked: "Rotten wood cannot be carved, and a wall made of dirt cannot be plastered."

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Open the tool →朽木粪墙 (xiǔ mù fèn qiáng) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “refers to a person who is beyond salvage or has no potential for improvement; someone lacking moral fiber or ability, likened to rotten wood that cannot be carved or a dirt wall that cannot be plastered”.
朽木粪墙 is pronounced xiǔ mù fèn qiáng in Mandarin Chinese.
Literally, 朽木粪墙 means “rotten wood and a dirt wall”. It is used to mean “refers to a person who is beyond salvage or has no potential for improvement; someone lacking moral fiber or ability, likened to rotten wood that cannot be carved or a dirt wall that cannot be plastered”.
朽木粪墙 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
朽坏的木头,污秽的土墙。比喻没有培养前途的人。