Although spoken words have no wings, they are quickly spread by people.(無翼而飛)
During the Spring and Autumn Period in China, there was a great king in the Kingdom of Qi. His name was (Jiang Xiaobai) and there is a story about him recorded in history books.
The prime minister of Qi was called Guan Zhong, who was considered to be the most capable and influential prime minister in the Spring and Autumn Period of China.
One day, Jiang Xiaobai said to Guan Zhong
I told some ministers a few days ago that I would like to go on a trip. I will leave the capital and go east first. After reaching the coast, I will go south along the coast to our country's southernmost city and return to the capital in about a month.
My itinerary has not yet been decided, but I have heard that the people of the Qi Kingdom have already heard the news, and they are all looking forward to seeing me when I travel.
I have also heard that the people praise me as a good king who cares for the people. I wondered, what does my going out to play have to do with caring for the people?
Why do the people think I am a good king who cares for them?
Guan Zhong replied.
According to ancient historical records, some great kings in ancient times chose to inspect the kingdoms they ruled in the spring. The purpose of these kings was to see if the farmers had any difficulties growing food, and if so, these kings would take the initiative to solve these problems for the farmers.
So I think these people are looking forward to seeing you when you travel, because they want to tell you directly about some of the problems they have in growing food.
After listening to Guan Zhong, Jiang Xiaobai nodded to show his understanding.
Guan Zhong continued.
As far as I know, the purpose of your trip was not to understand the difficulties people face in farming. You just wanted to have fun, right?
Jiang Xiaobai nodded with a slightly embarrassed expression.
Guan Zhong said.
You are the leader of the Qi Kingdom. Every word you say will cause a great reaction. Even though your words have no wings, they will be quickly spread by the people.
I think you should learn two lessons from this incident. The first lesson is that you should think carefully before you say anything or make a decision.
The second lesson is that if you want to be a good king, you should focus on all the people and not put your own pleasure before the needs of the people.
After listening to Guan Zhong's words, Jiang Xiaobai nodded humbly and said that he would improve his behaviour and attitude.
The literal translation of this saying is that although spoken words have no wings, they are quickly spread by the people.
This proverb now has a completely different meaning. It is used to describe an object that suddenly disappears. This object has no wings, but it suddenly disappears as if it had flown into the sky.
Dear friends, what inspiration or thoughts do you have after listening to this story?
Do your words and actions match your status? What do you think is most important in your life?
I hope this story can give you some new insights.
無翼而飛(Although spoken words have no wings,
they are quickly spread by people.)
中國的春秋時代的齊王國有一個偉大的國王，他的名字叫做(姜小白)，歷史書記載了一個他的故事。
齊王國的宰相的名字叫做(管仲)，他被認為是中國春秋時代最有能力與影響力的宰相。
有一天，姜小白對管仲說。
我前幾天跟幾個大臣說，我想安排一趟旅行，我要離開首都先向東走，到了海邊後我會沿著海邊向南到我們國家最南邊的城市，大約一個月後回首都。
我這個行程還沒決定，但我聽說齊王國的民眾們已經知道這個訊息了，所有民眾都非常期待在我出遊的時候看到我。
我還聽說這些百姓們讚美我是一個很關心百姓的好國王，我很納悶，我出去玩跟關心百姓有什麼關係呢?
為何百姓會認為我是一個關心他們的好國王呢?
管仲回答。
根據古代的歷史書記載，古代的一些偉大的國王會選擇在春天到他所統治的王國中巡視，這些國王的目的是要關心農民們在種植糧食上有沒有遇到怎樣的困難，如果有困難的話這些國王就會主動地替農民們解決這些問題。
所以我認為這些百姓們會期待在你出遊時看到你，是因為百姓們想要直接跟你反映他們在種植糧食作物上面所遇到的一些問題。
姜小白聽完管仲說的這段話後點頭表示理解。
管仲繼續說。
據我所知，你這次出遊的目的根本不事為了要了解百姓們在耕作上面所遇到的困難，你只是單純的想要享樂對嗎?
姜小白表情有點羞愧的點了點頭。
管仲說。
你是齊王國的領導者，你說的任何一句話都會引發很大的反應，你說出口的話雖然沒有翅膀但是會被人們飛速地到處傳播。
這次的事件我認為你應該得到兩個教訓，第一個教訓就是你在說任何的話與做任何的決策前都要先經過審慎的思考。
第二個教訓就是你如果要成為一個好的國王，你就應該把注意力放在所有百姓身上，你不應該把自己的滿足自已的享樂放在滿足百姓的需要之前。
姜小白聽完管仲的話後虛心地點頭表示他會改進自己的行為與態度。
這句成語直接翻譯的意思說出口的話雖然沒有翅膀但是會被人們飛速地到處傳播。
這句成語目前有另外一種完全不同的意思，這句成語被用形容一件東西突然不見了，這件東西沒有翅膀卻突然像是飛到天空中一樣消失不見。
親愛的朋友，你聽完這個故事有怎樣的啟發或有怎樣的想法呢。
你的言語與行為跟你的身分地位相符合嗎?你認為你的生活中最重要的事情為何呢?
我希望這故事能讓你產生一些新的收穫。
出處為管子-戒
https://ctext.org/guanzi/jie/zh
2025/01/25更新