forget the means by which the end is attained

forget the means by which the end is attained

It's a Chinese idiom. Pinyin is d é y ú w à ngqu á n, which means to catch a fish and forget it. It's a metaphor for forgetting what you rely on when you succeed. It comes from Chuang Tzu's foreign things.

Idiom explanation

Yao: bamboo utensils for fishing. Catch the fish, forget the fish. It's a metaphor for forgetting what you rely on when you succeed.

Analysis of Idioms

[synonym] to be ungrateful, to break down a bridge, to be ungrateful

Idiom usage

Therefore, the purpose is achieved and the fish forgets the fish, and so is the sharpness and quickness of the wrist. Liang Qichao's the cause of diplomatic failure and the consciousness of the people in the future

The origin of Idioms

In Chuang Tzu's foreign things, it is said that "the people of Tsuen are in the fish, and they forget to get the fish."

Idioms and allusions

In ancient times, a fisherman went to the river to catch fish. He threw a bamboo boat into the water and concentrated on watching the buoy. Finally, a red silver carp got on the boat. He was very happy to take the fish, put aside the fish, and went home quickly to boast of his credit. His wife said it was thanks to him. When she asked him where he had gone, the fisherman remembered that he had forgotten to take him home. The original meaning is that "Yao", "hoof" and "speech" are all tools. The goal is still fish, rabbit and meaning. As long as we get and understand the spiritual essence, then these tools can be forgotten. The person who forgets to speak means the person who has got and understood the essence of spirit, so speaking with the person who forgets to speak is not speaking. In Chuang Tzu, it is said that the two sages met each other but did not say anything, because "witnessing makes Tao exist" (Tian Zifang). According to Taoism, Tao can't be Tao, only hint. Speech reveals Tao by its implication, not by its fixed denotation and connotation. Once you have achieved your goal, you should forget it. Since we don't need it anymore, why use words to find trouble? This is true of the words and sounds of poetry, as well as the lines and colors of paintings. Therefore, this language is also used to express mutual tacit understanding, tacit meaning. The present meaning refers to forgetting the original powerful tools to help them achieve success after success.