自不量力 zì bù liàng lì Overestimate oneself

Explanation

指人没有自知之明，过高估计自己的能力。

Refers to a person's lack of self-awareness, overestimating their own abilities.

Origin Story

春秋时期，一个小国息国想要攻打强大的郑国。息国国君昏庸无道，大臣们也多是阿谀奉承之辈，没有人劝谏他。息国国君不顾国内实力薄弱，也不考虑郑国的强大，贸然发动战争。结果，息国军队惨败，损失惨重。这个故事说明，做任何事情都要量力而行，不能自不量力，否则只会自取灭亡。息国最终被更强大的楚国所灭，成为历史的教训。这便是自不量力的后果，它提醒我们，要认识到自身的局限性，谨慎决策，量力而行，才能避免失败。

chūnqiū shíqī, yīgè xiǎo guó xī guó xiǎng yào gōng dǎ qiángdà de zhèng guó。xī guó guójūn hūnyōng wúdào, dà chén men yě duō shì āyū fèngchéng zhī bèi, méiyǒu rén quànjiàn tā。xī guó guójūn bùgù guónèi shí lì bó ruò, yě bù kǎolǜ zhèng guó de qiángdà, màorán fādòng zhànzhēng。jiéguǒ, xī guó jūnduì cǎn bài, sǔnshī cǎnzhòng。zhège gùshì shuōmíng, zuò rènhé shìqíng dōu yào liàng lì ér xíng, bùnéng zì bù liàng lì, fǒuzé zhǐ huì zì qǔ mièwáng。xī guó zuìzhōng bèi gèng qiángdà de chǔ guó suǒ miè, chéngwéi lìshǐ de jiàoxùn。zhè biàn shì zì bù liàng lì de hòuguǒ, tā tíxǐng wǒmen, yào rènshí dào zìshēn de júxiàn xìng, jǐn shèn juécè, liàng lì ér xíng, cáinéng bìmiǎn shībài。

During the Spring and Autumn period, a small state named Xi wanted to attack the powerful state of Zheng. The ruler of Xi was incompetent and his ministers were all flatterers, none dared to advise him. Ignoring his country's weakness and Zheng's strength, the ruler rashly launched a war. As a result, Xi's army suffered a crushing defeat, with heavy losses. This story illustrates that one must act within their capabilities and not overestimate their strength; otherwise, they will only invite self-destruction. Xi was eventually destroyed by the even more powerful Chu, serving as a historical lesson. This is the consequence of overestimating oneself, a reminder to acknowledge one's limitations, make prudent decisions, and act within one's means to avoid failure.

Usage

常用来形容一个人不自量力，盲目自信。

cháng yòng lái xíngróng yīgè rén bù zì liàng lì, mángmù zìxìn。

Often used to describe someone who overestimates themselves and is blindly confident.

Examples

• 他自不量力地挑战了世界冠军。

  tā zì bù liàng lì de tiǎozhàn le shìjiè guànjūn。

  He challenged the world champion without considering his own strength.

• 不要自不量力，要量力而行。

  bù yào zì bù liàng lì, yào liàng lì ér xíng。

  Don't overestimate yourself, act within your abilities.

• 小明自不量力地报名参加了马拉松比赛。

  xiǎo míng zì bù liàng lì de bàomíng cānjīa le mǎlāsōng bǐsài。

  Xiaoming signed up for the marathon without considering his own ability.

Related Idioms

• 蚍蜉撼树

• 螳臂当车

• 以卵击石

Opposite Idioms

• 量力而行

• 力所能及

• 自知之明