Shi, which means rock, stone and pebble in Chinese, symbolizes unyielding will and loyalty. Shi can also represent someone’s unadorned and authentic self because of the rigid attributes of stone as it silently stands in the wilderness.

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他山之石，可以攻玉

tā shān zhī shí, kěyĭ gōng yù

Ta means “other” while shan means “mountains.” Shi refers rocks or stones. Keyi means “can be used to” or “is able to.” Gong means “to work on.” This idiom, taken literally, means that the stones from other hills can be used to polish and work on jade.

Originating from the song Crane Screams in the Book of Songs, which is generally believed to advise rulers to seek counsel from men of wisdom and valor, this idiom is now used to say that people with talent should also be invited to serve the nation, even if they come from other countries. It proposes an inclusive attitude towards talented people without considering their foreign origins. Also, it is sometimes used to say that advice from other people can help improve ourselves.

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精诚所至，金石为开

jīngchéng suŏzhì, jīn shí wéi kāi

Jingcheng means “sincerity” or “dedication” while suozhi means “wherever it reaches.” Jin means “metal” while shi means “stones.” Kai means “to break.” This idiom, taken literally, means that wherever one’s sincerity reaches, it can break even metal and stone.

The Chuang Tzu contains the following words, “The natural disposition means the apex of absolute sincerity. Without absolute sincerity, you will never be able to elicit the emotions and passions of others…The natural disposition resides within and the expression is shown without. That is why the natural disposition is given priority.” Wang Chong, a philosopher in Han Dynasty, reshaped this idea by saying that extreme earnestness will break hard things like metal and stones.

This idiom is used to say that if one is extremely dedicated to a mission, all the barriers will be removed one way or another. It has a similar meaning as the English saying that faith will move mountains.  

 

(edited by CHEN ALONG)