a method not suited for the purpose

a method not suited for the purpose

Saving people from the well, a Chinese idiom, Pinyin is C ó NGJ ǐ ngji ù R é n, meaning to jump into the well to save people. The original metaphor refers to an act that harms oneself but does no good to others. Now it's more like taking risks to save people. From the Analects of Confucius Yongye.

The origin of Idioms

In the Analects of Confucius, Yongye said, "if you are benevolent, you can tell me that if there is benevolence in the well, you can follow it." Confucius said, "why is it so? A gentleman may die, but not sink. "

Idiom story

During the spring and Autumn period, Confucius led his disciples to travel around the world. During the days of CAI state, Confucius told his disciples about benevolence and courage for a just cause. He found that Zaiyu was sleeping in class and woke him up. Zaiyu asked Confucius that it was benevolence and courage for him to jump down the well and save his life. If he didn't save his life, he would see his death. If he didn't save his life, he would be unkind. Confucius said that it could be saved by other means.

Idiom usage

To save someone by taking risks. The people who look on the shore, though they have the idea of saving money, are only interested in geomantic omen. Who is willing to save people from the well. Ming Dynasty Feng Menglong's Xingshi Hengyan volume 10

Analysis of Idioms

Antonym: down the well, down the stone, down the tiger