To write sentimental or superficial verse about natural scenes like the wind and moon, lacking profound thought or substance.
他批评一些年轻作家，认为他们整日沉迷于嘲风咏月，却很少关注现实生活。
He criticized some young writers, believing they were constantly indulging in writing superficial verse about nature, yet rarely paid attention to real life.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Synonym:
Story:
During the Song Dynasty, after Zhao Kuangyin conquered the Southern Tang kingdom, Li Yu, the last emperor of Southern Tang, voluntarily surrendered and became a nominal 'General of the Golden Tiger.'
One day, Emperor Taizong Zhao Guangyi of Song strolled into the Hanlin Academy. He saw Li Yu serving his former Southern Tang officials, such as Xu Xuan. Feeling puzzled, he asked why.
Xu Xuan, glancing disdainfully at Li Yu, said he lacked the ability to govern a country, knew only how to 'mock the wind and chant the moon' (i.e., write superficial poetry), and deserved no better.
Next Idiom