当局者迷 dāng jú zhě mí Those involved are blind

Explanation

当局者迷，指当事人因为身处事件之中，难以看清事情的全貌，反而容易被局部情况迷惑，做出错误判断。

Dangjuzhe mi means that the person involved in an event is difficult to see the whole picture of the event because they are in the event, and they are easily confused by the partial situation and make wrong judgments.

Origin Story

唐朝时期，一位名叫魏征的官员以直言敢谏闻名，他曾多次向唐太宗进言，指出其过失。唐太宗虽然有时不悦，但最终受益良多，深感魏征的建议对自己治国理政有益。一次，唐太宗与大臣们议论治国方略，众说纷纭，莫衷一是。唐太宗询问魏征的看法，魏征却说："陛下，此事臣以为当局者迷，旁观者清。"唐太宗不解，魏征解释说，身处其中的人往往被眼前的利益所迷惑，难以看清全局，而旁观者则可以较为客观地分析利弊，做出更准确的判断。唐太宗深以为然，并采纳了魏征的建议。这便是成语"当局者迷"的由来。

táng cháo shí qī, yī wèi míng jiào wèi zhēng de guān yuán yǐ zhí yán gǎn jiàn wén míng, tā céng duō cì xiàng táng tài zōng jìn yán, zhǐ chū qí guò shī. táng tài zōng suīrán yǒu shí bù yuè, dàn zuì zhōng shòu yì liáng duō, shēn gǎn wèi zhēng de jiàn yì duì zì jǐ zhì guó lǐ zhèng yǒu yì. yī cì, táng tài zōng yǔ dà chén men yì lùn zhì guó fāng lüè, zhòng shuō fēn yún, mò zhōng yī shì. táng tài zōng xún wèn wèi zhēng de kàn fǎ, wèi zhēng què shuō: "bì xià, cǐ shì chén yǐ wéi dāng jú zhě mí, páng guān zhě qīng." táng tài zōng bù jiě, wèi zhēng jiě shì shuō, shēn chǔ qí zhōng de rén wǎng wǎng bèi yǎn qián de lì yì suǒ mó huò, nán yǐ kàn qīng quán jú, ér páng guān zhě zé kě yǐ jiào wèi kè guàn de fēn xī lì bì, zuò chū gèng zhǔn què de pàn duàn. táng tài zōng shēn yǐ wéi rán, bìng cǎi nà le wèi zhēng de jiàn yì. zhè biàn shì chéng yǔ "dāng jú zhě mí" de yóu lái.

During the Tang Dynasty, an official named Wei Zheng was known for his outspokenness and courageous advice. He often advised Emperor Taizong, pointing out his mistakes. Emperor Taizong was sometimes displeased, but ultimately benefited greatly and deeply felt that Wei Zheng's suggestions were beneficial to his governance. Once, Emperor Taizong discussed the national policy with his ministers, and there were many opinions and no consensus. Emperor Taizong asked for Wei Zheng's opinion, but Wei Zheng said, "Your Majesty, I think that those involved are blind, but the onlookers see clearly." Emperor Taizong did not understand. Wei Zheng explained that those who were involved were often misled by immediate interests and could not see the overall situation. However, onlookers could analyze the advantages and disadvantages more objectively and make a more accurate judgment. Emperor Taizong agreed and adopted Wei Zheng's suggestion. This is the origin of the idiom "Dangjuzhe mi".

Usage

常用来形容当事人因为自身局限而看不清形势，做出错误判断的情况。

cháng yòng lái xíngróng dànshì rén yīnwèi zìshēn júxiàn ér kàn bu qīng xíngshì, zuò chū cuòwù pàn duàn de qíngkuàng.

Often used to describe the situation where the person involved can't see the situation clearly because of their own limitations, and makes wrong judgments.

Examples

  • 他当局者迷，看不清事情的真相。

    tā dāngjú zhě mí, kàn bu qīng shìqíng de zhēnxiàng.

    He is too involved to see the truth.

  • 这件事，当局者迷，旁观者清。

    zhè jiàn shì, dāngjú zhě mí, pángguān zhě qīng

    In this matter, the person involved is blind, the observer sees clearer.

Related Idioms

  • 旁观者清

  • 盲人摸象

Opposite Idioms

  • 旁观者清