Hậu xa đón người hiền

Definition

Idiom (Thành ngữ): - To treat a worthy person with great respect and courtesy: This idiom describes the act of sincerely and respectfully inviting a virtuous or talented person to serve, often by a ruler or leader. It originates from a historical account where a king personally welcomed a sage. - To eagerly recruit talent: It signifies going out of one's way, often with humility and grand gesture, to enlist the help of a wise and capable individual.

Usage Examples
  • Idiom:
    • Nhà lãnh đạo đó có tinh thần "hậu xa đón người hiền", luôn trọng dụng nhân tài. (That leader has the spirit of "welcoming the worthy with a grand carriage," always valuing talent.)
    • Câu chuyện "hậu xa đón người hiền" về Chu Văn Vương và Khương Tử Nha là bài học về chiêu hiền đãi sĩ. (The story of "welcoming the worthy with a grand carriage" about King Wen of Zhou and Jiang Ziya is a lesson in recruiting the virtuous.)
Advanced Usage
  • This idiom is primarily used in formal, literary, or historical contexts to praise a leader's virtue in recognizing and honoring talent. It is not used in everyday casual conversation.
Origin and Cultural Context
  • The idiom originates from a famous Chinese historical story, also well-known in Vietnamese culture. King Wen of the Zhou dynasty (Chu Văn Vương), while hunting, met the sage Jiang Ziya (Khương Tử Nha/Lã Vọng) fishing. Recognizing his wisdom, the king respectfully invited him into his own royal carriage (the "hậu xa" or rear carriage) to take him to his palace as a top advisor. Jiang Ziya later helped the Zhou dynasty overthrow the Shang.
Synonyms
  • To roll out the red carpet: To give someone a very grand and hospitable welcome.
  • To court talent: To actively seek to attract skilled people.
  • To show great deference to a sage: To treat a wise person with utmost respect.
Related Idioms
  • Chiêu hiền đãi sĩ: To recruit the virtuous and treat scholars with courtesy.
  • Cầu hiền như cầu tài: To seek the worthy as if seeking wealth.
  • Tam cố thảo lư: To make three calls at the thatched cottage (referring to Liu Bei's three visits to recruit Zhuge Liang).