First of all, sit quietly and watch the tigers fight.
Interpretation of the vernacular: consumption without production, even if there are mountains of property, will be consumed.
Dynasty: Yuan
Author: Qin
Source: "Dongtanglao": "Ten years since my father died; Just sitting at home waiting to die. The money has been paid; Nothing came in. It's nice to sit on the mountain; Stand up and eat the ground. "
Translation: Less than ten years from my father; It's good to sit around at home. Money and things will leave; No one can come in. I like to sit on my honor; The descent of the standing food floor.
Second, make both ends meet.
Interpretation of vernacular: income is not enough to spend.
Dynasty: Qing dynasty
Author: Cao Xueqin
Source: A Dream of Red Mansions 107; "But the family is very depressed; Live within your means. "
As long as the family economy is depressed; income falling short of one's expenditure
Third, raise food with money.
Interpretation of the vernacular: I ate the grain of the next year this year. Metaphor is economic difficulties, income is not enough to spend, and future investment is spent in advance. Metaphor economic difficulties, make ends meet.
Dynasty: Ming dynasty
Author: Ling Mengchu
Source: "Two Moments of Surprise": "When I have errands, I have already made ends meet."
When I am on a mission, I have to feed my food today.
Fourth, stretch.
Vernacular interpretation: describe rags and rags, down and out. Later, it was also a metaphor for taking care of one thing and losing another.
Dynasty: Spring and Autumn Period
Author: Zhuangzi
Source: "Zhuangzi Qin Wang": "Ceng Zi lives in Wei; Ten years without clothes; Be crowned, absolutely crowned; Catch cockroaches. "
Ceng Zi is defending; Ten years without making clothes; The hat band will be cut off; See your elbow when you are stubborn.
Five, penniless
Vernacular explanation: describe being as poor as being washed and having nothing.
Dynasty: Yuan
Author: Guan Hanqing
Source: Dou Eyuan: "I am poor; Live here in Chuzhou. "
Translation: I am as poor as a church mouse; Living in this Chuzhou