因循守旧 Stick to the old ways
Explanation
因循守旧指沿袭老一套，缺乏创新的精神。
Yin Xun Shou Jiu refers to following old methods and lacking innovative spirit.
Origin Story
从前，在一个偏僻的小山村里，住着一位老农，他世代务农，耕种着祖辈留下的一块小地。多年来，他一直沿用着传统的耕种方法，从未想过要改变。即使村里其他农户都开始使用新的农具和技术，获得了更高的产量，他仍然坚持自己的老办法。他认为老办法虽然收成不高，但胜在安全可靠，没必要冒险尝试新的方法。 然而，随着时间的推移，老农的土地越来越贫瘠，收成也越来越少。村里其他农户的收成却越来越好，他们用上了新的农具，学习了新的种植技术，还引进了新品种。老农眼看着自己的收成远远落后于别人，心里却依然没有一丝改变的念头。 有一天，村里来了位农业专家，他看到了老农的田地，摇了摇头说：“你的土地太贫瘠了，收成这么少，是因为你一直沿用着落后的耕种方法，不肯改变啊！”老农依然固执地摇摇头，说道：“我祖祖辈辈都是这么种地的，没有问题！” 专家无奈地叹了口气，给老农详细讲解了新的耕种方法和技术，并赠送给他一些新的农具。老农起初并不接受，但看着自己日益贫瘠的土地和越来越低的收成，最终还是勉强同意试一试。 经过几年的努力，老农终于尝到了新方法带来的甜头。他的土地变得肥沃起来，收成也比以前高了许多。老农这才明白，因循守旧只会让自己落后，只有不断学习，勇于创新，才能获得更好的收获。从此，老农不再因循守旧，他积极学习新的知识和技术，成为了村里有名的种田能手。
Once upon a time, in a remote mountain village, there lived an old farmer who had farmed the small plot of land left by his ancestors for generations. For many years, he had been using traditional farming methods and never thought of changing. Even when other farmers in the village started using new tools and techniques, achieving higher yields, he still stuck to his old ways. He believed that although the old methods didn’t produce high yields, they were safe and reliable, and there was no need to risk trying new methods. However, as time went on, the old farmer’s land became increasingly barren, and his harvests became smaller and smaller. The harvests of other farmers in the village, however, were getting better and better, as they used new tools, learned new planting techniques, and introduced new varieties. The old farmer watched his own harvest fall far behind others, but still had no thought of changing his mind. One day, an agricultural expert came to the village. When he saw the old farmer’s field, he shook his head and said, “Your land is too barren, your harvest is so low because you have been using backward farming methods and refuse to change!” The old farmer stubbornly shook his head and said, “My ancestors have always farmed like this, there’s no problem!” The expert sighed helplessly and explained to the old farmer in detail the new farming methods and techniques, and gave him some new tools. The old farmer initially refused, but seeing his increasingly barren land and decreasing harvests, he finally reluctantly agreed to give it a try. After several years of hard work, the old farmer finally tasted the sweetness of the new methods. His land became fertile, and his harvest was much higher than before. The old farmer then understood that sticking to old ways would only make him fall behind, and that only by constantly learning and daring to innovate could he obtain better harvests. From then on, the old farmer no longer stuck to old ways, and he actively learned new knowledge and techniques, becoming a famous farmer in the village.
Usage
形容人思想保守，墨守成规，缺乏创新精神。常用于批评或讽刺。
It describes a person who is conservative, sticks to the rules, and lacks innovative spirit. Often used for criticism or satire.
Examples
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他因循守旧，不愿接受新的方法。
ta yin xun shou jiu, bu yuan jie shou xin de fang fa.
He is stuck in his old ways and unwilling to accept new methods.
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这家公司因循守旧，最终被市场淘汰。
zhe jia gong si yin xun shou jiu, zhong yu bei shi chang tao tai.
This company is stuck in its old ways and was eventually eliminated from the market.
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不要因循守旧，要勇于创新。
bu yao yin xun shou jiu, yao yong yu chuang xin
Don't stick to the old ways, be brave to innovate.