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Copyright © 2024 CGTN. 京ICP备20000184号
Disinformation report hotline: 010-85061466
The Qiqi (Chinese: 欹器 or tilting vessel) was an ancient Chinese ceremonial utensil that tilted when empty, stood upright when half-full, and tipped over when full, symbolizing moderation and caution.
In the Confucius Museum in the city of Qufu, east China's Shandong Province, there is a valuable painting from the Ming Dynasty depicting a famous anecdote by Confucius. When the philosopher first saw the tilting vessel, he told his disciples "the way of maintaining complete fullness is to reduce by ladling out": "Brilliant intelligence and sage-like knowledge should be guarded by the appearance of stupidity; meritorious achievements covering the whole empire should be guarded by an attitude of deference; courageous power comforting the age should be guarded by fear; and riches encompassing all within the four seas should be guarded by frugality. This is what is called the way of 'drawing off and reducing.'"