三思而行
- Literal
- to think three times and then act
- Figurative
- To think a thing over carefully, more than once, before acting. It usually comes as advice, or as a warning to someone in a hurry.
Where does 三思而行 come from?
The 《论语》 records that Ji Wenzi, a nobleman of the state of Lu, “三思而后行” — he thought three times before acting. When Confucius heard about it, his comment was dry: “再，斯可矣” ("twice is enough"). There is some irony in the idiom surviving as praise for prudence, since the master's remark was closer to a reservation: turning a decision over too many times has its own cost. From the line about Ji Wenzi came the four-character form used today.
Source (出处): 《论语·公冶长》
How is 三思而行 used? Two examples
- 辞职是大事，你还是三思而行吧。
Quitting your job is a big deal — think it through before you make the move.
- 签合同以前一定要三思而行，别急着签字。
Think it over carefully before you sign a contract; don't rush to put your name on it.
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