遗臭万年 Infamy for ten thousand years
Explanation
指死后恶名流传,永远被人唾骂。
Refers to the bad reputation that lasts after death and is forever condemned.
Origin Story
话说东晋时期,权倾朝野的大司马桓温,在南征北战中建立了不少功勋,但他野心勃勃,一心想名垂青史。一日,他躺在床上沉思,对身边亲信说道:"人生在世,总不能默默无闻吧?"亲信们噤若寒蝉。桓温又说道:"一个人就算不能流芳百世,也要遗臭万年啊!"这句话后来便成了成语,用来形容那些即使死后也要留下恶名的人。桓温晚年骄横跋扈,最终不得善终。他的一生,正如他所说,虽未流芳百世,但也确实遗臭万年了。
During the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the Grand Marshal Huan Wen held immense political power. Through his military campaigns, he achieved significant victories. Despite striving to solidify his legacy, Huan Wen's ruthless ambition undermined his moral and ethical integrity, which tarnished his reputation irrevocably. His infamous words: "Even if one cannot be honored throughout the ages, one must surely be condemned forever." reflected his strong desire for fame during his lifetime and his thirst for power irrespective of the cost.
Usage
用于形容死后恶名流传,被人唾骂。
Used to describe someone whose bad reputation lives on after death and who is condemned.
Examples
-
他虽然取得了一些成就,但最终却遗臭万年。
ta suiran qude le yixie chengjiu, dan zui zhong que yichu wannian
Although he achieved some success, he ultimately left a bad name for himself that lasts for thousands of years.
-
他的恶行遗臭万年,被后世人唾弃。
ta de exing yichu wannian, bei houshi ren tuqi
His evil deeds will stink for ten thousand years and be spurned by posterity.