To parrot others' words or ideas; to echo what others have said without originality; to plagiarize trivial points from others; to repeat others' stale arguments.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Story:
During the Eastern Jin Dynasty, there was a man named Yin Hao. Because he had served as "Zhongjun" (Central Army Commander), he was referred to as "General Yin". He was once appointed "General Jianwu" and commanded troops from Yangzhou, Yuzhou, Xuzhou, Yanzhou, and Qingzhou. Later, due to a military defeat, he was dismissed from office and exiled to Xin'an (present-day Zhejiang Province).
Yin Hao was a very learned man, fond of "Laozi" and "I Ching", and could eloquently discuss topics, citing classics and scriptures.
Yin Hao had a nephew named Han Kangbo, who was very intelligent and articulate. Yin Hao liked him very much but was also very strict with him. When Yin Hao was exiled, Kangbo accompanied him.
One day, Yin Hao saw him expressing his views to others. Listening carefully, Yin Hao realized that everything Kangbo was saying was merely plagiarizing his own words and phrases, repeating what he had said, without any personal insights, yet Kangbo looked quite pleased with himself.
Yin Hao was displeased and remarked, "Kangbo hasn't even gotten the dirt from behind my teeth, yet he already thinks himself extraordinary. This is truly unacceptable."