Governing a country like cooking a delicate fish

Hi! Welcome to “Unique Chinese Words”!

The word we talk about today is ” Governing a country like cooking a delicate fish”.

The statement "Governing a country is like cooking a delicate fish" came from the ancient Chinese thinker Laozi in his Daodejing. Expanding the metaphor, he said that it was essential to use the right fire, to apply the right flavorings and not to stir the fish too often.

In his answer to a question from a Brazilian reporter in March 2013, President Xi Jinping said that Chinese leaders must acquire a deep understanding of the complicated conditions of their country and the diversified needs of their people. He noted that they must be aware that governing China is like "treading on thin ice and standing upon the edge of an abyss." He added that Chinese leaders must govern their society the way one cooks a delicate fish: they must not slacken in the slightest or be careless, and they must work diligently at all times.

Did you get it?