response #4

“Let a thousand flowers bloom”
When I first saw this expression, I thought that this was used for educational purposes. I speculated that this expression was used during times of educational reformation or even during the times of liberal reformation such as technology and etc. I felt like I have heard this specific expression in many cartoon animations for children as well. Another possibility that this expression may have been used for is another interpretation for beauty. I have heard many times flowers being associated with beauty; therefore, this expression may have been also used in context for beauty as well. The origin of this expression is from Chairman Mao Zedong of China during the summer of 1957 when “the Chinese intelligentsia were invited to criticize the political system then obtaining in communist China” (http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/226950.html). “Let a thousand flowers bloom” is really the mistranslation used in the west; the original expression is “let a thousand flowers blossom,” in which it was used to make people who disagreed with Mao’s views show themselves so that they could be executed. When I put this expression in today’s context, I do not think that it differs significantly because we are still, in our nation, trying to find solutions to national policy issues such as education. I think that this expression caught on in vernacular setting because it suggests that it will “promote progress in the arts and the sciences and a flourishing socialist culture in our land” (http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/226950.html).
“A wolf in sheep’s clothing”
I have heard this expression ever since I was young and it was commonly used in children’s stories that I have read as a child as well. I know that this expression means that there is a dangerous person who is pretending to be harmless. As a child growing up hearing this specific expression numerous times, I would say that this idiom would be used for children to watch out for strangers; used as a cautionary lesson for children when they are unsupervised. The specific meaning is “someone who hides malicious intent under the guise of kindliness” (http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/wolf-in-sheeps-clothing.html). The origin of this expression can both be said to be from Aesop’s Fables and the Bible. However, it is thought that Aesop came up with this phrase because his tales date before any biblical text; “Aesop (620-560 BC) is credited with creating the fables that bear his name and, whether he was the author or not, they are certainly pre-Christian” (http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/wolf-in-sheeps-clothing.html). However, the first time that this expression may have appeared in English form may be from in Wycliffe’s Bible (1382). If I were to put this in today’s context, it would not differ as all in my opinion. This phrase is still commonly used and also in the Bible, which is the most widely read text in the world. The lesson of this phrase as a caution to dangerous people is still in affect and I feel it will remain this way for decades. I personally think that this expression has not been through any evolution because I believe that in whatever time period or where one lives, there will always be dangerous people in the world because I do not believe that it is possible to create a haven (or if we do, it won’t last such as the story of “Adam and Eve”).
“물이 너무 맑으면 고기가 살수없다” (http://kin.naver.com/detail/detail.php?d1id=11&dir_id=110104&docid=9362622&qb=7Jqw66as64KY65287IaN64u0IOyekOyXsA==&enc=utf8&pid=fVCWOz331xGssc8%2BvJ4ssv--057177&sid=Sskr2UopyUoAAHJbGiI).
(if the water is clear, then no fish can survive)
This is a Korean expression that if translated it is “if the water is too clear, then no fish can survive.” Korea used Chinese characters and another form of writing before the invention of their own alphabet Han guel, therefore, I cannot really say specifically if this expression originated in China or ancient Korea. This expression is interpreted when if a person is too pure of heart, then they cannot fit in (survive) with others. Continuing my theory of how there will always be dangerous people in the world from the previous expression, this idiom restates that theory. In other words, because the world is full of greedy/immoral people, a person so pure of heart will never be able to survive in such an impure world. I think that if this expression is used in today’s context, this will also not be any different because the world is getting more complicated in my opinion. Therefore, I don’t think that the meaning of this expression evolved in any way and can still be used in today’s context.