求贤如渴 Seeking talents like thirsty for water
Explanation
形容非常渴望得到人才，就像口渴的人渴望喝水一样。
To describe the intense desire for talent, like a thirsty person longs for water.
Origin Story
唐太宗李世民在位期间，励精图治，广开言路，成就了贞观之治。而这盛世背后，离不开他“求贤如渴”的开明政策。他曾多次在朝堂上公开表示，国家要发展，人才至关重要，要广纳贤才，不论出身背景，只要有才能，他都愿意重用。 有一次，大臣们向他推荐了一位名叫魏征的官员。魏征为人耿直，敢于直言进谏，甚至当着皇帝的面也敢批评他的过错。这在当时朝臣中是少见的。一些大臣担心魏征会影响到皇帝的威严，劝李世民不要重用他。但李世民却说：“魏征的直言正是我所需要的，只有这样才能使我不断改进，更好地治理国家。” 于是，李世民重用了魏征，并经常与他讨论国家大事，虚心听取他的意见。魏征也尽心尽力地辅佐李世民，提出了许多宝贵的建议，为贞观盛世的到来做出了巨大的贡献。 唐太宗的“求贤如渴”，不仅使得他拥有了一批优秀的文臣武将，更重要的是，这体现了他对人才的尊重和重视，以及他为了国家发展而不断改进自身的决心。他的这种精神，至今仍值得我们学习和借鉴。
During the reign of Emperor Taizong Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty, he diligently promoted progress and opened up communication channels, leading to the flourishing Zhenguan era. Behind this prosperity lies his enlightened policy of “seeking talent like thirst”. He repeatedly declared in court that the progress of the nation depends on talent, and that he would accept talented individuals regardless of their background—only those who are capable would be employed. Once, his ministers recommended an official named Weizheng. Weizheng was upright and dared to speak his mind, even criticizing the emperor’s mistakes to his face. This was rare among the court officials at the time. Some ministers worried that Weizheng might undermine the emperor’s authority, and advised Li Shimin against employing him. But Li Shimin said: “Weizheng’s outspokenness is what I need. Only in this way can I constantly improve and better govern the country.” So, Li Shimin employed Weizheng and often discussed important matters of state with him, humbly listening to his advice. Weizheng also diligently assisted Li Shimin, offering many valuable suggestions, making a great contribution to the arrival of the prosperous Zhenguan era. Tang Taizong’s policy of “seeking talent like thirst” not only gave him many talented civil and military officials, but more importantly, it demonstrated his respect and appreciation for talent, and his determination to improve himself for the development of the nation. This spirit is still worthy of our learning and emulation today.
Usage
多用于描写君主或领导者对人才的渴望和重视。
Often used to describe a monarch or leader’s desire for and importance of talent.
Examples
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魏征治国有方，求贤如渴，唐太宗得以励精图治。
Wèi Zhēng zhì guó yǒu fāng, qiú xián rú kě, Táng Tài Zōng dé yǐ lì jīng tú zhì.
Weizheng governed effectively, eagerly seeking talented people; therefore, Emperor Taizong could devote himself to good governance.
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这个公司求贤如渴，希望能招聘到更多优秀的员工。
Zhège gōngsī qiú xián rú kě, xīwàng néng zhāopìn dào gèng duō yōuxiù de yuángōng。
This company is eager to recruit talented people and hopes to hire more excellent employees.