化干戈为玉帛 huà gān gē wéi yù bó Turn swords into silk and jade

Explanation

化干戈为玉帛是一个汉语成语，意思是把武器和战乱转化为和平友好的关系。它出自《淮南子·原道训》:

Huà gān gē wéi yù bó (化干戈为玉帛) is a Chinese idiom meaning to transform weapons and warfare into peaceful and amicable relations. It originates from the book Huainanzi - Yuandaoxun:

Origin Story

话说古代，两个强大的国家长期战争不断，生灵涂炭，民不聊生。一位智者建议两国君主放下武器，寻求和平。他指出，战争只会带来更多伤亡和破坏，而和平才能带来繁荣和发展。他进一步解释说，与其互相残杀，不如合作共赢。他用“化干戈为玉帛”的故事来比喻和平的重要性。在古代，玉帛是珍贵的礼品，代表着诚意和友谊。两国君主深受感动，决定休战，开始谈判，最终签署了和平协议，从此两国人民过上了安居乐业的生活。从此，两国人民安居乐业，共同发展。这个故事告诉我们，和平比战争更加珍贵，只有和平才能带来幸福和繁荣。

huàshuō gǔdài, liǎng gè qiángdà de guójiā chángqí zhànzhēng bùduàn, shēnglíng tú tàn, mín bù liáo shēng. yī wèi zhìzhě jiànyì liǎng guó jūnzhǔ fàngxià wǔqì, xúnqiú hépíng. tā zhǐ chū, zhànzhēng zhǐ huì dài lái gèng duō shāngwáng hé pòhuài, ér hépíng cáinéng dài lái fánróng hé fāzhǎn. tā jìnyībù jiěshì shuō, yǔqí hùxiāng cánshā, bùrú hézuò gòngyíng. tā yòng “huà gānge wéi yùbó” de gùshì lái bǐyù hépíng de zhòngyào xìng. zài gǔdài, yùbó shì zhēnguì de lǐpǐn, dàibiǎozhe chéngyì hé yǒuyì. liǎng guó jūnzhǔ shēn shòu gǎndòng, juédìng xiūzhàn, kāishǐ tánpàn, zhōngyú qiānshǔ le hépíng xiéyì, cóngcǐ liǎng guó rénmín guò shang le ānjū lèyè de shēnghuó. cóngcǐ, liǎng guó rénmín ānjū lèyè, gòngtóng fāzhǎn. zhège gùshì gàosù wǒmen, hépíng bǐ zhànzhēng gèngjiā zhēnguì, zhǐyǒu hépíng cáinéng dài lái xìngfú hé fánróng.

In ancient times, two powerful countries were engaged in a protracted and devastating war, causing immense suffering to their people. A wise man advised both monarchs to lay down their arms and seek peace, arguing that war only brought death and destruction while peace fostered prosperity. He further elaborated that cooperation led to mutual benefits rather than mutual destruction, using the story of '化干戈为玉帛' to illustrate the importance of peace. In ancient times, jade and silk were precious gifts representing sincerity and friendship. Moved by his words, the monarchs decided to cease hostilities and engage in negotiations, eventually signing a peace treaty. As a result, both nations enjoyed lasting peace and prosperity.

Usage

用来形容把冲突转化为和平，也比喻化解矛盾，友好相处。

yòng lái xíngróng bǎ chōngtū zhuǎnhuà wéi hépíng, yě bǐyù huàjiě máodùn, yǒuhǎo xiāngchǔ

Used to describe the transformation of conflict into peace, and also metaphorically to resolve contradictions and get along friendly.

Examples

• 经过一番努力，双方最终化干戈为玉帛，达成了协议。

  jīngguò yīfān nǔlì, shuāngfāng zhōngyú huà gānge wéi yùbó, dáchéngle xiéyì

  After a lot of effort, both sides finally made peace and reached an agreement.

• 经过调解，他们终于化干戈为玉帛，恢复了友谊。

  jīngguò tiáojiě, tāmen zhōngyú huà gānge wéi yùbó, huīfùle yǒuyì

  After mediation, they finally made peace and restored their friendship.

Related Idioms

• 息事宁人

• 和平共处

Opposite Idioms

• 兵戎相见

• 刀兵相见