internal conflict; trouble from within
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
trouble arises from within; internal conflict starts at home
formalFormal idiom originating from the Analects (《论语·季氏》), used to describe internal disputes, coups, or betrayals within an organization, family, or country.
Gōng公
sī司
guǎn管
lǐ理
bù不
shàn善
，
huò祸
qǐ起
xiāo萧
qiáng墙
，
zuì最
zhōng终
pò破
chǎn产
le了
。
The company was poorly managed, internal conflict arose, and it eventually went bankrupt.
Zhè这
chǎng场
zhèng政
biàn变
wán完
quán全
shì是
huò祸
qǐ起
xiāo萧
qiáng墙
，
nèi内
bù部
rén人
yuán员
xiè泄
lòu露
le了
jī机
mì密
。
This coup was entirely an internal affair, with insiders leaking confidential information.
Show 2 more examplesShow fewer examples
Jiā家
zú族
qǐ企
yè业
wǎng往
wǎng往
róng容
yì易
huò祸
qǐ起
xiāo萧
qiáng墙
，
xiōng兄
dì弟
fǎn反
mù目
chéng成
chóu仇
。
Family businesses often suffer from internal strife, with brothers turning against each other.
Gǔ古
rén人
yún云
：
'
Wú吾
kǒng恐
Jì季
Sūn孙
zhī之
yōu忧
，
bù不
zài在
Zhuān颛
Yú臾
，
ér而
zài在
xiāo萧
qiáng墙
zhī之
nèi内
yě也
。
'
Shuō说
de的
jiù就
shì是
huò祸
qǐ起
xiāo萧
qiáng墙
de的
dào道
lǐ理
。
As the ancients said: 'I fear the troubles of the Jisun family lie not with Zhuanyu, but within their own screen wall.' This speaks of the principle that trouble arises from within.