厚今薄古 hòu jīn bó gǔ to value the present and neglect the past

Explanation

厚今薄古指的是重视现代，轻视古代。多用于学术研究方面，指在研究历史或文化时，过分强调现代的成果和观点，而忽视或轻视古代的文献和传统。

Hòu jīn bó gǔ refers to valuing the present and neglecting the past. It is mostly used in academic research, referring to the overemphasis on modern achievements and perspectives when studying history or culture, while ignoring or belittling ancient documents and traditions.

Origin Story

著名历史学家李教授一生致力于中国古代史的研究，他深知历史研究要兼顾古今，不能厚今薄古。他花费了数十年时间，潜心研究古代文献，解读历史真相，他认为，对古代文化的了解，不仅能丰富我们对历史的认知，也能帮助我们更好地理解现在。他经常告诫他的学生，要重视历史资料，不能因为现代科技发达，就忽视了传统文化的研究价值。他曾经说过：“厚今薄古就像建造高楼大厦，只顾着修建现代的楼层，而忽略了坚实的地基，迟早会崩塌。”他还提倡学生多阅读古籍，多走访古迹，亲身体验历史文化，从古代文化的精华中汲取智慧，并将其与现代社会的发展相结合，从而更好地传承和发展中国优秀传统文化。

zhùmíng lìshǐ xuéjiā lǐ jiàoshòu yīshēng zhìlì yú zhōngguó gǔdài shǐ de yánjiū, tā shēnzhī lìshǐ yánjiū yào jiāngu gǔjīn, bùnéng hòu jīn bó gǔ. tā huāfèi le shùshí nián shíjiān, qiánsīn yánjiū gǔdài wénxiàn, jiědù lìshǐ zhēnxiàng, tā rènwéi, duì gǔdài wénhuà de liǎojiě, bùjǐn néng fēngfù wǒmen duì lìshǐ de rènzhī, yě néng bāngzhù wǒmen gèng hǎo de lǐjiě xiànzài. tā jīngcháng gàojiè tā de xuéshēng, yào zhòngshì lìshǐ zīliào, bùnéng yīnwèi xiàndài kē jì fādá, jiù hūshì le chuántǒng wénhuà de yánjiū jiàzhí. tā céngjīng shuōguò: "hòu jīn bó gǔ jiù xiàng jiànzào gāolóu dàshà, zhǐ gùzhe xiūjiàn xiàndài de lóucéng, ér hūlüè le jiānshí de dìjī, chízǎo huì bēngtā." tā hái tícháng xuéshēng duō yuèdú gǔjí, duō zǒufǎng gǔjì, qīntǐ tǐyàn lìshǐ wénhuà, cóng gǔdài wénhuà de jīnghuá zhōng jíqǔ zhìhuì, bìng jiāng qí yǔ xiàndài shèhuì de fāzhǎn xiāng jiéhé, cóng'ér gèng hǎo de chéngchuán hé fāzhǎn zhōngguó yōuxiù chuántǒng wénhuà.

The renowned historian Professor Li dedicated his life to the study of ancient Chinese history. He understood that historical research should balance past and present, avoiding an overemphasis on the present. He spent decades painstakingly studying ancient texts to uncover the truth of history. He believed that understanding ancient culture not only enriches our understanding of history but also helps us better understand the present. He often warned his students to value historical sources, not neglecting the research value of traditional culture because of advancements in modern technology. He once said, "Overemphasizing the present at the expense of the past is like building a skyscraper, focusing only on the modern floors while neglecting the solid foundation—it will inevitably collapse."

Usage

主要用于学术评价，形容对现代的重视超过了对古代的重视，有时也用于对某种现象的批评。

zhǔyào yòng yú xuéshù píngjià, xíngróng duì xiàndài de zhòngshì chāoguò le duì gǔdài de zhòngshì, yǒushí yě yòng yú duì mǒuzhǒng xiànxiàng de pīpíng

Mainly used in academic evaluation to describe valuing the modern over the ancient, sometimes also used to criticize a certain phenomenon.

Examples

• 近代史研究需要厚今薄古，不能轻视现代史料。

  jìndài shǐ yánjiū xūyào hòu jīn bó gǔ, bùnéng qīngshì xiàndài shǐliào

  The study of modern history requires emphasizing the present over the past, without neglecting modern historical materials.

• 某些学者厚今薄古，导致对古代文化的理解偏差。

  mǒuxiē xuézhě hòu jīn bó gǔ, dǎozhì duì gǔdài wénhuà de lǐjiě piānchā

  Some scholars value the present over the past, resulting in a biased understanding of ancient culture.

Related Idioms

• 重今轻古

• 轻古重今

Opposite Idioms

• 厚古薄今