Chinese idiom · 成语
燕雀安知
Meaning
How can swallows and sparrows know; small minds can’t grasp grand plans.
Character by character
Origin and story
Historical anecdoteShiji (史記), volume 48, introduces the young Chen Sheng, also called Chen She, working as a hired farm laborer. During a break, he tells his companions not to forget one another if they become prosperous. They laugh: how can someone hired to plow expect wealth and rank? Chen replies with a question comparing their outlook with swallows and sparrows unable to understand the ambitions of great soaring birds.
燕雀安知 is the opening of the longer saying 燕雀安知鸿鹄之志. The image expresses ambition that other people cannot comprehend. It can sound defiant, but also self-important when used to dismiss reasonable criticism.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
朋友笑他开书店不赚钱，他却说：“燕雀安知鸿鹄之志！”
His friends laughed that opening a bookstore would not make money, but he replied, “How could small birds understand a great bird’s ambitions!”
Usually quote the longer saying; it can sound deliberately grand or jokingly arrogant.