story diligence hardship study perseverance

"凿壁偷光" (záo bì tōu guāng) - Stealing Light Through a Wall

凿壁偷光

To bore a hole in the wall to steal light; to study diligently under harsh conditions.

Origins and Historical Context

The idiom "凿壁偷光" (záo bì tōu guāng) originates from the Miscellaneous Records of the Western Capital (Xi Jing Za Ji 西京杂记).

The story goes: During the Western Han Dynasty, there was a diligent student named Kuang Heng (匡衡). His family was poor, and he couldn't afford to buy candles to study at night. He learned that his neighbor had a light on in the evening, so he secretly bored a small hole in the wall separating their houses. Through this hole, he could catch a sliver of light to read his books. He studied very hard under these difficult circumstances and eventually became a prominent scholar.

This story exemplifies the spirit of perseverance and the pursuit of knowledge even in the face of adversity.

Meaning and Usage

"凿壁偷光" literally translates to "to chisel wall steal light." It describes the act of studying diligently in extremely difficult circumstances, particularly due to poverty or lack of resources. It is often used to praise someone's dedication to learning and their ability to overcome obstacles.

  • Example (Describing a student's hard work): “虽然家境贫寒，但他凿壁偷光，刻苦学习，最终考上了名牌大学。” (“Suīrán jiājìng pínhán, dàn tā záo bì tōu guāng, kèkǔ xuéxí, zuìzhōng kǎo shàng le míngpái dàxué.”) – “Although his family was poor, he studied diligently like ‘stealing light through the wall’ and finally got admitted to a prestigious university.”

  • Example (Encouraging someone to overcome difficulties): “不要因为暂时的困难就放弃，要学习古人凿壁偷光的精神。” (“Bù yào yīnwèi zànshí de kùnnan jiù fàngqì, yào xuéxí gǔrén záo bì tōu guāng de jīngshén.”) – “Don’t give up because of temporary difficulties. You should learn from the spirit of the ancients who ‘stole light through the wall’.”

Cultural Significance of Chéngyǔ (成语)

"凿壁偷光" emphasizes the importance of:

  • Diligence and Perseverance: It highlights the value of hard work and dedication in achieving one's goals, especially in the face of adversity.
  • The Pursuit of Knowledge: It underscores the importance of learning and the lengths people will go to acquire knowledge.
  • 囊萤映雪 (náng yíng yìng xuě): To study by the light of fireflies in a bag and by the reflection of snow; to study diligently in spite of poverty.
  • 悬梁刺股 (xuán liáng cì gǔ): To hang oneself by the hair from the beam and prick one's thigh with an awl; to study very hard.