ONGO — Hanja and Eastern classics, one character a day
臥薪嘗膽 와신상담
Meaning
"Sleep on firewood, taste the gall: keep the resolve alive."
臥薪嘗膽 (와신상담) means "Sleep on firewood, taste the gall: keep the resolve alive". Tasting the gall each day—a resolve kept warm so long it finally catches fire.
Summary
Sleep on firewood, taste the gall: keep the resolve alive.
Origin & Background
Source: Shiji, "House of King Goujian of Yue" — only 嘗膽 (tasting the gall) appears there; 臥薪 (sleeping on firewood) was joined to it later, Su Shi (Song) being an early four-character use.
Credit: Lyrics & concept by Jawoon · made with SUNO (paid license)
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