To undertake a task by constantly seeking and incorporating too many diverse opinions, which ultimately leads to indecision and failure to complete the task; to attempt to accomplish something with too many conflicting ideas, making it impossible to succeed.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Synonym:
Story:
During the Eastern Han Dynasty, Emperor Zhang intended to appoint Dr. Cao Bao to oversee the revision of rites and music. However, Ban Gu suggested gathering all the Confucian scholars in the capital to collectively research and formulate them.
Emperor Zhang believed that involving too many scholars would be akin to 'building a house by the roadside, taking three years without completion.' He therefore insisted on letting Cao Bao complete the task alone. After careful review, 150 chapters were ultimately adopted.