shù漱liú流zhěn枕shí石
To live a life of seclusion, often in nature, embracing a rustic or unconventional lifestyle.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Synonym:
Story:
When Sun Zijing was young, he had no desire for an official career and intended to live in seclusion.
He told Wang Wuzi that he would 'gargle with stones and pillow on streams' (漱石枕流), when he actually meant 'gargle with streams and pillow on stones' (漱流枕石).
Wang Wuzi was greatly amused and laughed at him for suggesting he would gargle with stones and use a stream as a pillow.
Sun Zijing had to quickly explain, 'Using a stream as a pillow allows one to wash their ears, and gargling with stones can polish one's teeth.'