老骥伏枥 lǎo jì fú lì old warhorse in the stable

Explanation

比喻有雄心壮志的人虽然年老,仍然有远大的理想和抱负。

It is used to describe people with great ambitions who still have great ideals and aspirations despite their age.

Origin Story

话说东汉末年,曹操在官渡之战中大败袁绍,统一北方指日可待。然而,年过半百的曹操并没有因此而骄傲自满,反而更加勤勉,殚精竭虑地为国家谋划未来。一次,他与谋士们商议军国大事,谈及自己年事已高,谋士们都劝他休息。曹操却豪迈地吟诵起自己创作的诗句:“老骥伏枥,志在千里;烈士暮年,壮心不已。”他眼神中闪烁着坚毅的光芒,语气坚定而充满力量,表明自己虽然年老,但仍有雄心壮志,决心为国家统一和社会安定继续奋斗。这首诗不仅展现了曹操的雄心壮志,也鼓舞了将士们继续为统一大业而努力。

huàshuō dōnghàn mònián, cáocāo zài guāndù zhī zhàn zhōng dà bài yuánshào, tǒngyī běifāng zhǐrì kě dài. rán'ér, nián guò bàn bǎi de cáocāo bìng méiyǒu yīncǐ ér jiāo'àozì mǎn, fǎn'ér gèngjiā qínmiǎn, dānjīngjiélǜ de wèi guójiā móuhuà wèilái. yīcì, tā yǔ móushì men shāngyì jūnguó dàshì, tánjí zìjǐ niánshì yǐ gāo, móushì men dōu quàn tā xiūxi. cáocāo què háomài de yínshòng qǐ zìjǐ chuàngzuò de shī jù: “lǎojìfúlì, zhìzàiqiānlǐ; lièshìmùnián, zhuàngxīnbùyǐ.” tā yǎnshén zhōng shǎnshuòzhe jiānyì de guāngmáng, yǔqì jiāndìng ér chōngmǎn lìliàng, biǎoming zìjǐ suīrán niánlǎo, dàn réng yǒu xióngxīn zhuàngzhì, juéxīn wèi guójiā tǒngyī hé shèhuì āndìng jìxù dòuzhèng. zhè shǒu shī bùjǐn zhǎnxian le cáocāo de xióngxīn zhuàngzhì, yě gǔwǔ le jiàngshì men jìxù wèi tǒngyī dàyè ér nǔlì.

In the late Eastern Han Dynasty, Cao Cao achieved a major victory in the Battle of Guandu, making the unification of the North seem imminent. However, he was already in his fifties. Instead of becoming proud and complacent, he became even more diligent, working tirelessly for the future of the country. During a discussion with his advisors regarding state affairs, where he remarked on his age, they advised him to rest. But Cao Cao proudly recited the lines he himself composed: “An old warhorse in the stable, yet its ambition is thousands of miles away; a gallant man in his twilight years, his aspirations remain undiminished.” His eyes shone with determination, his voice strong and resolute, demonstrating his ambition even in old age, and his determination to continue his efforts to unify the country and achieve stability. These verses not only showcased his grand ambition, but also inspired his troops to continue their efforts toward unification.

Usage

用于形容老年人仍然保持着雄心壮志,充满活力。

yòngyú xiángróng lǎoniánrén réngrán bǎochí zhe xióngxīn zhuàngzhì, chōngmǎn huólì

It's used to describe elderly people who still maintain great ambition and vitality.

Examples

  • 老骥伏枥,志在千里;烈士暮年,壮心不已。

    lǎojìfúlì,zhìzàiqiānlǐ;lièshìmùnián,zhuàngxīnbùyǐ

    An old warhorse in the stable, yet its ambition is thousands of miles away; a gallant man in his twilight years, his aspirations remain undiminished.

  • 虽已年老,但他仍然老骥伏枥,志在千里。

    suīyǐniánlǎo,dànshī tā réngrán lǎojìfúlì,zhìzàiqiānlǐ

    Though old, he still has high ambitions, like an old steed still yearning to travel thousands of miles