舍本逐末 to neglect the essentials
Explanation
比喻不抓根本环节，而只在枝节问题上下功夫。
To abandon the fundamental for the trivial. To forsake the essential and pursue the non-essential.
Origin Story
战国时期，孟子的弟子问他现在要办的事情很多该如何处理，孟子说应该知道要做的事情中哪些是最急需办的就先办，不能面面俱到。如果父母死子女在服丧期间吃饭狼吞虎咽，喝汤时响声很大，这就是舍本逐末，不知自己当前该干什么。 另一个故事：有个农夫辛辛苦苦耕作，却只顾着追求眼前利益，忽略了田地肥力，种子质量等根本性的问题。结果，即使他再怎么努力劳作，收成也总是很差。他的邻居看到他的处境后，劝他先要改善土壤，挑选优质种子，才能获得更好的收成。农夫这才恍然大悟，明白了舍本逐末的害处。 再比如，一个学生学习时，只专注于一些不太重要的知识点，例如考试前的临时抱佛脚，而忽略了对基础知识的掌握和理解。他虽然能够在短时间内记住一些零散的知识，却很难在考试中取得好成绩，更谈不上对知识的深刻理解和运用，这就是典型的舍本逐末。
During the Warring States period, one of Mencius's disciples asked him how to handle his many tasks. Mencius replied that he should know which tasks are most urgent and deal with those first, instead of trying to do everything at once. If children, during the mourning period after the death of their parents, eat greedily and slurp their soup loudly, this is an example of neglecting the essential for the trivial. Another story: A farmer worked hard in his fields but only cared about short-term gains, neglecting fundamental aspects like soil quality and seeds. Despite his hard work, his harvest remained poor. His neighbor advised him to improve the soil and choose better seeds to improve the yield. Only then did the farmer realize the consequences of neglecting essentials.
Usage
多用于批评那些不抓主要矛盾，而抓次要矛盾的人。
Often used to criticize those who focus on minor issues rather than the main ones.
Examples
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不要舍本逐末，要抓住问题的根本
bùyào shěběn zhúmò, yào zhuāzhù wèntí de gēnběn
Don't put the cart before the horse; get to the root of the problem.