肝腦塗地

肝腦塗地

1. to die a terrible death

   • 當是之時，變置社稷，蓋甚於弈棋之易，而元元肝腦塗地，幸而不轉死於溝壑者無幾耳！夫人才不足，患蓋如此。 [Literary Chinese, trad.]
     当是之时，变置社稷，盖甚于弈棋之易，而元元肝脑涂地，幸而不转死于沟壑者无几耳！夫人才不足，患盖如此。 [Literary Chinese, simp.]

     From: c. 1058, 王安石,《上仁宗皇帝言事書》

     Dāng shì zhī shí, biànzhì shèjì, gài shèn yú yìqí zhī yì, ér yuányuán gānnǎotúdì, xìng'ér bù zhuǎnsǐ yú gōuhè zhě wújǐ ěr! Fú réncái bùzú, huàn gài rúcǐ. [Pinyin]

     In those days changing a dynasty had become as simple as it is to play a game of chess, while the common people were massacred as their brains littered the earth. Those who escaped death were considered most fortunate if they avoided perishing in wilderness ditches! Disasters of that type are brought about by the absence of capable men in office.

2. to offer one's life sacrificially in loyalty

   • 臣當死，往者醉失禮，王隱忍不加誅也；臣終不敢以蔭蔽之德而不顯報王也，常願肝腦塗地，用頸血湔敵久矣。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     臣当死，往者醉失礼，王隐忍不加诛也；臣终不敢以荫蔽之德而不显报王也，常愿肝脑涂地，用颈血湔敌久矣。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: c. 77 B.C.E., 劉向 (Liu Xiang), 《說苑》 (Garden of Stories), chapter 6

     Chén dāng sǐ, wǎngzhě zuì shīlǐ, wáng yǐnrěn bù jiā zhū yě; chén zhōng bùgǎn yǐ yìnbì zhī dé ér bùxiǎn bào wáng yě, cháng yuàn gānnǎotúdì, yòng jǐng xuè jiān dí jiǔ yǐ. [Pinyin]

     I should have been put to death. A few years ago, I got drunk and forgot my manners. Your Majesty showed restraint and did not put me to death. I would never dare not overtly repay Your Majesty's covert kindness. I would rather put my life on the line and drown the enemy in my own blood.

   • 武曰：“武父子亡功德，皆爲陛下所成就，位列將，爵通侯，兄弟親近，常願肝腦塗地。” [Traditional Chinese poetry, trad.]
     武曰：“武父子亡功德，皆为陛下所成就，位列将，爵通侯，兄弟亲近，常愿肝脑涂地。” [Traditional Chinese poetry, simp.]

     From: The Book of Han, circa 1^st century CE

     Wǔ yuē: “Wǔ fùzǐ wú gōngdé, jiē wéi bìxià suǒ chéngjiù, wèiliè jiàng, jué tōng hóu, xiōngdì qīnjìn, cháng yuàn gānnǎotúdì.” [Pinyin]

     “My father, my brothers, and I were without merit or virtue—all we had was bestowed upon us by the emperor. We were placed among the ranks of generals, enfeoffed as marquises, and my brothers permitted to wait upon the emperor in person. Our constant desire was to serve, though it meant spilling our very liver and brains upon the ground!” Su Wu replied.