竊鉤者誅，竊國者侯

Chinese

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Etymology
彼竊鉤者誅，竊國者為諸侯，諸侯之門，而仁義存焉，則是非竊仁義聖知邪？ [Classical Chinese, trad.]
彼窃钩者诛，窃国者为诸侯，诸侯之门，而仁义存焉，则是非窃仁义圣知邪？ [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Zhuangzi, circa 3rd – 2nd centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Bǐ qiè gōu zhě zhū, qiè guó zhě wèi zhūhóu, zhūhóu zhī mén, ér rén yì cún yān, zé shì fēi qiè rén yì shèng zhì yé? [Pinyin]
Here is one who steals a hook (for his girdle) - he is put to death for it: here is another who steals a state - he becomes its prince. But it is at the gates of the princes that we find benevolence and righteousness (most strongly) professed - is not this stealing benevolence and righteousness, sageness and wisdom?

Pronunciation

  • Mandarin
    (Pinyin): qiè gōu zhě zhū, qiè guó zhě hóu
    (Zhuyin): ㄑㄧㄝˋ ㄍㄡ ㄓㄜˇ ㄓㄨ , ㄑㄧㄝˋ ㄍㄨㄛˊ ㄓㄜˇ ㄏㄡˊ
  • Mandarin
    • (Standard Chinese)+
      • Hanyu Pinyin: qiè gōu zhě zhū, qiè guó zhě hóu
      • Zhuyin: ㄑㄧㄝˋ ㄍㄡ ㄓㄜˇ ㄓㄨ , ㄑㄧㄝˋ ㄍㄨㄛˊ ㄓㄜˇ ㄏㄡˊ
      • Tongyong Pinyin: ciè gou jhě jhu, ciè guó jhě hóu
      • Wade–Giles: chʻieh4 kou1 chê3 chu1, chʻieh4 kuo2 chê3 hou2
      • Yale: chyè gōu jě jū-, chyè gwó jě hóu
      • Gwoyeu Romatzyh: chieh gou jee ju, chieh gwo jee hour
      • Palladius: це гоу чжэ чжу, це го чжэ хоу (ce gou čžɛ čžu, ce go čžɛ xou)
      • Sinological IPA (key): /t͡ɕʰi̯ɛ⁵¹ koʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛ⁵¹ ku̯ɔ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xoʊ̯³⁵/

Proverb

竊鉤者誅，竊國者侯

  1. (sarcastic) Used to criticize political corruption to an extent that right and wrong is falsified.
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