德薄才疏 Little merit and limited ability
Explanation
品德低下，才能平庸。多用于自谦。
Low moral character and mediocre talent. Often used to be modest.
Origin Story
话说，唐朝时期，有个名叫李白的书生，虽然才华横溢，诗作名扬天下，但他却常常自谦，说自己德薄才疏。一日，他受邀参加朝廷盛会，许多达官贵人对他赞赏有加，称赞他的才华。李白谦逊地回应说：“诸位谬赞了，我德薄才疏，愧不敢当。”众人听后更加敬佩他的谦逊。李白一生创作了大量的诗歌，他的诗歌风格豪放飘逸，充满浪漫主义情怀，至今仍然被人们传诵。然而，他始终保持着谦逊的态度，不因自己的成就而骄傲自满，这更增添了他的人格魅力。这便是李白“德薄才疏”的真实写照，他用实际行动诠释了谦逊的美德。
In the Tang Dynasty, there was a scholar named Li Bai, who, despite his extraordinary talent and wide fame for his poems, often modestly claimed to be of little merit and limited abilities. One day, he was invited to a court event, where many dignitaries admired and praised his talent. Li Bai humbly responded: “Your praises are undeserved, I am of little merit and limited ability, I do not deserve this.” The attendees admired his humility even more. Li Bai wrote countless poems, whose style was unrestrained and elegant, characterized by romantic idealism, and are still read today. Yet, he remained humble and was not led into pride by his accomplishments, which further distinguished his character. This is a true picture of Li Bai’s humility, he demonstrated the virtue of humility with his actions.
Usage
用于自谦，表示自己才能平庸，德行浅薄。
Used to express modesty, indicating that one's talent is mediocre and virtue is shallow.
Examples
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在下德薄才疏，愧不敢当。
wo zai xia de bo cai shu, kui bu gan dang
I am of little merit and limited ability, I dare not take this position。