Young people are admirable and possess great potential; they often have the ability to surpass their predecessors or elders, hence they are to be respected.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
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Story:
Originating from 'The Analects of Confucius, Zihan chapter', the idiom '后生可畏' praises young people who are intelligent, diligent, and have a promising future.
The story goes that Confucius, during his travels, encountered three children. Two were playing, while one stood alone. Curious, Confucius asked the standing child why he wasn't joining the others.
The child earnestly replied, 'Violent brawling can be life-threatening, and even playful pulling can cause bodily harm. Furthermore, tearing clothes offers no benefit. That's why I prefer not to play with them. What's so strange about that?'
A little while later, the child built a castle out of mud and sat inside it, not coming out for a long time, nor moving to let Confucius's carriage pass. Confucius couldn't help but ask again, 'You're sitting inside, why don't you make way for the carriage?'
The child responded, 'I've only heard that carriages should go around a city, never that a city should move for a carriage!'
Confucius was greatly astonished, finding it remarkable that such a young child could speak so eloquently. He praised him, saying, 'You are so young, yet you understand so much!'
The child, however, retorted, 'I've heard that fish can swim three days after birth, rabbits can run in the fields three days after birth, and horses can follow their mothers three days after birth. These are all natural occurrences; what does age have to do with it?'
Confucius then couldn't help but exclaim, 'Ah, I now realize how truly remarkable young people are!'