20．鱼【魚】部 fish
缘climb木tree求catch鱼fish
In the Spring and Autumn Period春秋时期, the King of Qi 齐宣王intended to rule his state with force. However, Mencius 孟子(BC 372—BC 289) offered the King a piece of advice: “Your Majesty, using force to control your people would be just like climbing a tree to catch a fish. You’re making a futile effort.” The king accepted Mencius’s advice and ruled his country with benevolence.
缘木求鱼is used to describe working in a wrong direction or striving in opposition to natural laws. When a person works in this way it is impossible to achieve their goals.
【拼音】yuán mù qiú yú
【寓意】缘木，爬树。爬到树上去找鱼。比喻方向或办法不对，不可能达到目的。
【出处】《孟子·梁惠王上》：以若所为，求若所欲，犹缘木而求鱼也。
