山shān木mù自zì寇kòu也yě,，膏gāo火huǒ自zì煎jiān也yě

What does 山木自寇也，膏火自煎也 (shān mù zì kòu yě, gāo huǒ zì jiān yě) mean?

山木自寇也，膏火自煎也 (shān mù zì kòu yě, gāo huǒ zì jiān yě) is a line of classical verse (shīcí 詩詞). Word for word it reads "The mountain tree brings its own felling; the grease over the fire fries itself." In use it means: Useful qualities can become the cause of one's own downfall. The tree is cut because its wood is valuable; the oil burns because it is combustible. You reach for it when you want that idea in one breath, and the Fire note it carries is why we hand it to those born in the Year of the Dog.

Literally: "The mountain tree brings its own felling; the grease over the fire fries itself."

The reading

Talent that announces itself too loudly draws the axe. The tallest tree on the ridge catches every storm, and the richest oil feeds the flame that consumes it. Zhuangzi's observation cuts close to the bone for anyone who confuses visibility with safety. Sometimes what protects you most is not your strength but your willingness to stand aside from the competition for attention. What remains when you stop advertising your worth is a quieter kind of durability.

What kind of proverb it is

• Typeshīcí 詩詞
• FocusPresent-minded
• Element火 Fire
• Zodiac tie狗 Year of the Dog

Source Zhuangzi, Renjianshi (Human World chapter), Warring States period

Sits beside

Keep reading

Return to the Proverb Pond to draw another of the eighty-seven, or hear one read aloud. Read the rest of its chapter in Adversity & Resilience, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Dog, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Ox.