readily accept admonishment; be open to advice
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
to readily accept good advice, like water flowing downstream
literaryOriginally used to praise enlightened rulers or leaders who are open to criticism and correction. Can be used more broadly in modern contexts.
Zuò作
wéi为
lǐng领
dǎo导
，
tā他
néng能
zuò做
dào到
cóng从
jiàn谏
rú如
liú流
，
suǒ所
yǐ以
hěn很
shòu受
xià下
shǔ属
zūn尊
zhòng重
。
As a leader, he readily accepts advice, so he is highly respected by his subordinates.
Gǔ古
dài代
de的
míng明
jūn君
wǎng往
wǎng往
jù具
yǒu有
cóng从
jiàn谏
rú如
liú流
de的
měi美
dé德
。
Wise monarchs of ancient times often possessed the virtue of readily accepting admonishment.
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Tā他
suī虽
rán然
shēn身
jū居
gāo高
wèi位
，
dàn但
néng能
tīng听
qǔ取
bù不
tóng同
yì意
jiàn见
，
zhēn真
kě可
wèi谓
cóng从
jiàn谏
rú如
liú流
。
Although he holds a high position, he can listen to different opinions; he truly can be described as accepting advice as readily as flowing water.