treacherous minister; sycophantic official
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesnoun
treacherous minister; sycophantic official who flatters the ruler and undermines the state
literaryLiterary and historical term typically used to describe corrupt officials in imperial courts who gained favor through flattery rather than merit. Carries strong negative connotations.
Nìng佞
chén臣
dāng当
dào道
，
zhōng忠
liáng良
bèi被
hài害
。
Treacherous ministers hold power while the loyal and good are persecuted.
Lì历
shǐ史
shàng上
duō多
shao少
nìng佞
chén臣
wù误
guó国
，
dǎo导
zhì致
wáng王
cháo朝
fù覆
miè灭
。
Throughout history, countless sycophantic officials have ruined their countries, leading to the fall of dynasties.
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Tā他
suī虽
chū出
shēn身
hán寒
mén门
，
què却
bù不
yuàn愿
zuò做
nìng佞
chén臣
，
shǐ始
zhōng终
zhí直
yán言
jìn进
jiàn谏
。
Though of humble origins, he refused to become a treacherous minister, always speaking frankly to remonstrate with the ruler.