前车可鉴 Past experience as a lesson
Explanation
这个成语的意思是用前人的失败作为教训。它强调从历史经验中吸取教训的重要性，避免重蹈覆辙。
This idiom means to use the failures of predecessors as a lesson. It emphasizes the importance of learning from historical experiences and avoiding repeating mistakes.
Origin Story
西汉时期，汉文帝为了治理国家，召见才华横溢的贾谊，询问他的治国方略。贾谊以秦朝的灭亡为鉴，告诫汉文帝要吸取秦朝暴政的教训，施行仁政，轻徭薄赋，与民休息，重视农业生产，发展经济，这样才能使国家长治久安。汉文帝听后深受启发，采纳了他的建议，使西汉王朝开创了“文景之治”的盛世局面。
During the Western Han Dynasty, Emperor Wen Di summoned the talented Jia Yi to inquire about his strategy for governing the state. Jia Yi used the fall of the Qin Dynasty as a warning, advising Emperor Wen Di to learn from the tyrannical rule of the Qin Dynasty, to implement benevolent governance, reduce taxes, allow the people to rest, and prioritize agricultural production and economic development in order to ensure lasting peace and prosperity. Emperor Wen Di was enlightened by this advice and adopted it, leading to the prosperous era of the 'Wenjing rule' during the Western Han Dynasty.
Usage
常用于告诫人们要从历史经验中吸取教训，避免重蹈覆辙。
It is often used to warn people to learn from historical experience and avoid repeating past mistakes.
Examples
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前车之鉴，后事之师。
Qián chē zhī jiàn, hòu shì zhī shī.
The past is a mirror to the future.
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我们要从前人的经验中吸取教训，不能重蹈覆辙。
Wǒmen yào cóng qián rén de jīngyàn zhōng xīqǔ jiàoxùn, bù néng chóngdǎo fùzhé.
We must learn from the experiences of our predecessors and not repeat their mistakes.