Chinese Idioms: Lè Jí Shēng Bēi 乐极生悲 Extreme Joy Begets Sorrow

A: Welcome back to Listener's Garden. I'm LPC.

B: And I'm XH. In today's Chinese Idioms, we'll hear the interesting story behind Lè Jí Shēng Bēi (乐极生悲).

A: Lè simply means happy. And Bēi just means sad or sorrowful, just the opposite to Lè in fact.

B: Yes. So what is the story behind these two words with contrary meaning?

A: Let's have a listen to today's idiom Lè Jí Shēng Bēi (乐极生悲).

Lè Jí Shēng Bēi 乐极生悲 Extreme Joy Begets Sorrow

Chun Wukun lived in the State of Qi during the Warring States Period (475-221BC). He was erudite, humorous and eloquent. He skillfully advised the king on many occasions and successfully fulfilled the tasks of an envoy to many states.

In the year 349 BC, the State of Chu dispatched a large force to attack Qi. The king of Qi sent Chun Wukun to the State of Zhao to ask for help. Taking with him a lot of valuable gifts, Chun went to Zhao. The king of Zhao gladly sent a hundred thousand troops to help Qi. Hearing the news, the king of Chu withdrew his army that very night.

The King of Qi was spared anxiety and was pleased with Chun Wukun. He gave a banquet for Chun. During the meal, the king asked him, "How much wine can you drink before you're drunk, Sir?"

Knowing the king had a bad habit of drinking all night, Chun Wukun decided to take this opportunity to admonish him on the matter. So he replied, “I get drunk when I drink ten liters or a hundred."

The king was puzzled. He said, "Since you are drunk after ten liters, how can you deal with a hundred? Can you explain?"

Chun Wukun listed the different occasions and situations when he had been able to drink varying amounts of wine. Then he said, “This indicated to me that, when you drink to your limit, you get so drunk that you lose your sense of etiquette; once joy reaches its height, then it's sorrow's turn. This is a rule for everything, whatever you do, when you exceed the limits, you end up going in the opposite direction."

Realizing Chun Wukun was trying to advise him, the king said readily, "You're right. I'll take your advice."

From then on, the king gave up his bad habit of drinking.

B: Well, the king was so wise to take Chun Wukun's advice and get rid of his bad habit. Otherwise he could have paid for his indulgence.

A: Right. It is definitely true that when joy reaches its height, sorrow comes along.

B: Absolutely. Too much of anything is not good. We'd better remember not to overdo it.