zì cán xíng huì

Literal Meaning: feeling ashamed for looking uglier than others

Metaphorical Meaning: feeling ashamed for one’s own inferiority compared to others.

In the Jin Dynasty (265 – 420 AD), there was a general named Wang Ji. He was famous for his handsome appearance and gentlemanship. Though he was a soldier good at wielding swords and spears, he was also a well-read man. For all his merits, he was famous in the city. One year, Wang Ji’s sister and her son Wei Jie came to seek refuge in Wang Ji. Upon seeing his nephew, Wang Ji was shocked by his handsomeness. He said to his sister: “The others all praise me for my face and gentlemanship. But the comparison between my nephew and me is just like putting a stone next to a piece of jade.”

Several days later, Wang Ji took Wei Jie to visit his relatives and friends. The people in the street were all shocked by Wei Jie’s handsomeness and thought that he was an incarnated jade carving. They all got together to see Wei Jie and the whole city was stirred up.

Finally they arrived at the destination. Wang Ji’s relatives, who were also surprised by Wei Jie’s beauty, wanted to know whether his knowledge matched his face. Therefore, they asked him to explain the philosophy. Unable to decline the request, Wei Jie began to speak. Soon everybody was convinced by his excellent and deep understanding of the philosophy. They all said to Wang Ji: “You and your brothers can not even begin to compare yourselves with your nephew.” Wang Ji laughed and said: “That’s true. My nephew is just like a shining pearl illuminating his bright when he is walking beside me.”