心腹之患 xīnfù zhī huàn heart's trouble

Explanation

比喻隐藏在内部的严重祸害。也泛指最大的隐患。

Refers to a serious hidden danger within. Also generally refers to the greatest hidden danger.

Origin Story

春秋末年，吴王夫差战胜越王勾践后，得意忘形，不听忠臣伍子胥的劝告，轻信勾践的假意投降。伍子胥曾苦口婆心地劝诫夫差：勾践是个极度危险的人物，他表面上恭敬顺从，实际上内心充满复仇的野心，是吴国的心腹之患，必须提防。但夫差沉醉在胜利的喜悦中，对伍子胥的忠告置若罔闻，最终导致吴国被越国灭亡。夫差的失败，正是因为他轻敌，没有把勾践视为心腹之患，最终为自己的错误付出了惨痛的代价。这个故事告诉我们，在处理国家大事和个人事务时，都不能掉以轻心，要认真对待潜在的危险，才能避免悲剧的发生。

Chūnqiū mònián, Wú wáng Fūchā zhànshèng Yuè wáng Gōujiàn hòu, déyì wàngxíng, bù tīng zhōngchén Wǔ Zǐxū de quàngào, qīngxìn Gōujiān de jiǎyì tóuxiáng. Wǔ Zǐxū céng kǔkǒu póxīn dì quànjiè Fūchā: Gōujiàn shì gè jí dú wēixiǎn de rénwù, tā biǎomiàn shàng gōngjùnshùn cóng, shíjì shàng nèixīn chōngmǎn fùchóu de yèxīn, shì Wú guó de xīnfù zhī huàn, bìxū tífáng. Dàn Fūchā chénzuì zài shènglì de xǐyuè zhōng, duì Wǔ Zǐxū de zhōnggào zhì ruò wú wén, zuìzhōng dǎozhì Wú guó bèi Yuè guó mièwáng. Fūchā de shībài, zhèngshì yīnwèi tā qīngdí, méiyǒu bǎ Gōujiàn shìwèi xīnfù zhī huàn, zuìzhōng wèi zìjǐ de cuòwù fùchū le cǎntòng de dàijià. Zhège gùshì gàosù wǒmen, zài chǔlǐ guójiā dàshì hé gèrén shìwù shí, dōu bù néng diào yǐ qīngxīn, yào rènzhēn duìdài qiányán de wēixiǎn, cáinéng bìmiǎn bēijù de fāshēng.

At the end of the Spring and Autumn period, after King Fu Chai of Wu defeated King Gou Jian of Yue, he became complacent and ignored the advice of his loyal minister Wu Zixu, believing Gou Jian's feigned surrender. Wu Zixu had earnestly warned Fu Chai that Gou Jian was an extremely dangerous person, outwardly respectful and submissive, but inwardly filled with a thirst for revenge, a great threat to Wu that must be guarded against. But Fu Chai was intoxicated by his victory and disregarded Wu Zixu's warning, ultimately leading to the destruction of the Kingdom of Wu. Fu Chai's downfall stemmed from his underestimation of Gou Jian as a serious threat, a fatal mistake he dearly paid for. This story teaches us that in matters of state and personal affairs, we must not be complacent and must take potential dangers seriously to avoid tragedy.

Usage

指隐藏在内部的严重祸害，也指最大的隐患。常用作宾语。

zhǐ yǐncáng zài nèibù de yánzhòng huòhài, yě zhǐ zuì dà de yǐnhuàn. Cháng yòng zuò bīnyǔ

Refers to a serious hidden danger, and also refers to the greatest hidden danger. Often used as an object.

Examples

• 越国是吴国的心腹之患，必须早作决断

  Yuè guó shì Wú guó de xīnfù zhī huàn, bìxū zǎo zuò juédàn

  Yue is a serious threat to Wu, we must make a quick decision.

• 内奸是公司的严重心腹之患，必须尽快清除

  Nèijiān shì gōngsī de yánzhòng xīnfù zhī huàn, bìxū jǐnkuài qīngchú

  The traitor is a serious threat to the company and must be eliminated as soon as possible.

Related Idioms

• 心腹大患

• 隐患

• 大患

Opposite Idioms

• 小毛病

• 无关痛痒