哀莫大于心死 in English ai1 mo4 da4 yu2 xin1 si3 Meaning

Meanings

• nothing sadder than a withered heart (idiomatic expression attributed to Confucius by Zhuangzi 莊子|庄子[Zhuang1 zi3])
• no greater sorrow than a heart that never rejoices
• the worst sorrow is not as bad as an uncaring heart
• nothing is more wrand so onhed than apathy

Pinyin

ai1 mo4 da4 yu2 xin1 si3

Literal

Literal explanation, with pronunciation and meaning of each character.

哀ai1Ai (c. 2000 BC), sixth of legendary Flame Emperors 炎帝[Yan2 di4] descended from Shennong 神農|神农[Shen2 nong2] Farmer God, also known as Li 釐|厘[Li2] 莫mo4surname Mo 大da4big 于yu2surname Yu 心xin1heart 死si3to die