Đi săn đón người hiền
Definition
- Idiom (Thành ngữ):
- To seek out and welcome the virtuous: This idiom describes the act of actively searching for and respectfully inviting talented, virtuous, or wise individuals to join one's cause or enterprise. It originates from a historical story about a ruler's humility and desire to recruit worthy people.
- To recruit the worthy: It implies a proactive and earnest effort by someone in authority to find and enlist individuals of high moral character and ability.
Usage Examples
- Idiom:
- Nhà lãnh đạo đó có tinh thần "đi săn đón người hiền", luôn tìm kiếm nhân tài. (That leader has the spirit of "seeking out and welcoming the virtuous," always searching for talent.)
- Câu chuyện "đi săn đón người hiền" của Vua Văn Vương là một bài học về trọng dụng người tài. (The story of King Wen "seeking out and welcoming the virtuous" is a lesson in valuing talent.)
Advanced Usage
- This idiom is often used in formal, literary, or historical contexts to praise leaders, employers, or organizations that are sincere and diligent in recruiting excellent people. It carries a connotation of respect and high value placed on virtue and wisdom over mere skill.
Origin and Cultural Context
- The idiom originates from a legend about King Wen of the Zhou Dynasty in ancient China. He went on a hunting trip but his true purpose was to seek and respectfully receive the wise old man Lü Wang (also known as Jiang Ziya or Lü Shang), whom he recognized as a virtuous and talented person essential for building his state. The "hunt" was a metaphor for his search for a worthy advisor.
Synonyms
- To seek out talent: To look for skilled or able people.
- To court the virtuous: To try to win the favor and service of morally good individuals.
- To recruit the wise and capable: To enlist people who are both intelligent and competent.
Related Concepts
- Trọng dụng nhân tài: To value and put talent to good use.
- Chiêu hiền đãi sĩ: To summon the worthy and receive scholars (a similar idiom about recruiting talented people).