thrice filled up and thrice emptied
San Ying San Xu is a Chinese idiom. Pinyin is s ā NY í ngs ā nx ū, which means that Confucius' disciples, attracted by Shao Zhengmao's lectures, left Confucius' gate many times. It describes good teaching effect and great influence. From Lun Heng · Jian Rui.
The origin of Idioms
"Shao Zhengmao was in Lu and joined with Confucius. The gate of Confucius was full of vigor and void, but Yan Yuan did not go."
Idiom usage
Used as a predicate or attributive; used in writing.
Examples
It did not change the public enemy into a private enemy because of the three gains and three losses. The third chapter of Liang Qichao's thoughts of ancient China
Idiom story
In 499 BC, Confucius became the commander of the state of Lu and acted as the prime minister. After taking office, Confucius listed five charges against Shao Zhengmao and killed him. Although it is recorded in Xunzi, Shiji, Shuoyuan by Liu Xiang and Confucius family language, some people have denied it since Zhu Xi, a great Confucian in Song Dynasty.
Shaozhengmao was born in the state of Lu in the spring and Autumn period. His surname was shaozheng and his name was Mao. In ancient times, "shaozheng" was the official name, which was a small official in charge of business. In ancient times, it was customary to take official position as the surname. Shao Zhengmao's thought is opposite to that of Confucius, who accused him of "being creative and firm". While establishing a private school with Confucius, Shao Zhengmao also set up a private school to publicize Legalists' thoughts. In his book Lun Heng, Wang Chong of the Eastern Han Dynasty talks about Shao Zhengmao and Confucius recruiting students to give lectures at the same time in the state of Lu. Confucius' students were full and empty many times. Because of Shao Zhengmao's lectures, only Yan Yuan followed Confucius and did not go.
Chinese PinYin : sān yíng sān xū
thrice filled up and thrice emptied
he rooks everyone he can get his claws into. yàn guò bá máo
a fish escaped through the seine. lòu wǎng zhī yú