兄弟阋墙 Xiōngdì xì qiáng Brothers' Quarrel

Explanation

形容兄弟之间发生争执，也比喻内部发生冲突。

Describes disputes between brothers, but also internal conflicts in general.

Origin Story

春秋时期，晋献公有三个儿子：申生、重耳、夷吾。这三个兄弟，为了争夺王位，互相倾轧。申生为人正直，深受百姓爱戴，被立为太子。重耳和夷吾心怀不满，暗中策划，最终导致申生自杀身亡。重耳逃亡在外，夷吾继位，史称晋惠公。晋惠公继位后，重耳被追杀，流亡了十九年，期间历经艰险，最终凭借自己的才能和人望，在诸侯的支持下，回到晋国，并夺取了王位，史称晋文公。晋文公励精图治，使晋国成为当时最强大的诸侯国之一。他们的兄弟阋墙，最终酿成了一场巨大的悲剧，也给后人留下了深刻的教训。

chūnqiū shíqī, jìn xiàn gōng yǒu sān gè érzi: shēn shēng, zhòng ěr, yí wú. zhè sān gè xiōngdì, wèile zhēngduó wángwèi, hùxiāng qīngyà. shēn shēng wéirén zhèngzhí, shēn shòu bàixìng àidài, bèi lì wèi tàizǐ. zhòng ěr hé yí wú xīnhuái bù mǎn, ànzhōng cèhuà, zuìzhōng dǎozhì shēn shēng zìshā shēnwáng. zhòng ěr táowáng zài wài, yí wú jìwèi, shǐ chēng jìn huì gōng. jìn huì gōng jìwèi hòu, zhòng ěr bèi zhuīsā, liúwáng le shíjiǔ nián, qījiān lìjīng jiānxian, zuìzhōng píngjì zìjǐ de cáinéng hé rénwàng, zài zhū hóu de zhīchí xià, huí dào jìn guó, bìng duó qǔ le wángwèi, shǐ chēng jìn wén gōng. jìn wén gōng lì jīng tú zhì, shǐ jìn guó chéngwéi dāngshí zuì qiángdà de zhū hóu guó zhī yī.

During the Spring and Autumn Period, Duke Xian of Jin had three sons: Shen Sheng, Chong Er, and Yi Wu. These three brothers, in their struggle for the throne, engaged in mutual attacks. Shen Sheng, known for his integrity, was beloved by the people and was made Crown Prince. Chong Er and Yi Wu, however, were dissatisfied, secretly plotting that resulted in Shen Sheng's suicide. Chong Er went into exile while Yi Wu succeeded to the throne as Duke Hui of Jin. After Duke Hui's death, Chong Er escaped repeated assassination attempts and spent nineteen years in exile, facing countless hardships. Eventually, his talent and reputation won the support of many feudal lords, helping him return to Jin and seize the throne, becoming Duke Wen of Jin. Duke Wen's diligent rule transformed Jin into one of the most powerful states of the time.

Usage

常用作谓语、宾语；比喻内部争斗。

cháng chòng zuò wèiyǔ, bīnyǔ; bǐyù nèibù zhēngdòu

Often used as predicate and object; it refers to internal struggles.

Examples

• 兄弟阋墙，勿使外人窥伺。

  xiōngdì xì qiáng, wù shǐ wàirén kuīsì

  Brothers quarrel, but do not let outsiders look in.

• 公司内部兄弟阋墙，让竞争对手有机可乘。

  gōngsī nèibù xiōngdì xì qiáng, ràng jìngzhēng duìshǒu yǒujī kěchéng

  Internal strife in the company gives competitors an opportunity.

Related Idioms

• 祸起萧墙

• 同室操戈

Opposite Idioms

• 团结一致

• 齐心协力