鹬蚌相争When the Snipe and the Clam Grapple, the Fisherman Profits

When the Snipe and the Clam Grapple, the Fisherman Profits（成语 鹬蚌相争 英文）


The State of Zhao was going to assault the State of Yan.(1)

Su Dai came to see King Hui of the State of Zhao, and said,"On my way here I was crossing the Yishui River when I saw a clam just coming out to take the sun on the shore. A snipe came over to peck at the exposed flesh of the clam, which quickl closed its shell to clamp the bird's bill.

'If no rain comes today or tomorrow, there'll be a dead clam,' said the snipe.

'If you can't get your bill free today or tomorrow, there'll be a dead sinpe, riposted the clam.

None of the two would budge. Then along came a fisherman, who easily caught them both.

After a pause, Su Dai continued,"Now that Zhao is ready to attack Yan. But if both states were locked in a long stalemate with neither side ready to yield, then both peoples will be equally worn out. I'm afraid then the powerful Qin will turn up as the fisherman. Therefore, I do hope that Your Highness will give this matter careful consideration before you act."

"Well said." nodded King Hui and he gave up his military plan.

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(1) both in the Warring States Period()

鹬蚌相争(chinese idioms)

赵国将要讨伐攻打燕国，苏代为燕国去游说赵惠王说：“今天我来，渡过易水时，看到有个老蚌怕出来晒太阳，但有个鹬鸟跑来啄食它的肉，蚌马上合上两片壳刚好夹住了鹬鸟嘴巴，鹬鸟说：‘如果今天不下雨，明天不下雨，小蚌你死定了。”蚌说道：“你嘴巴今天抽不出，明天抽不出，等死的是你。”两个都不肯舍弃让步，这时刚好有个老渔翁走过看到把他们俩都捉住了。现在赵国攻打燕国，燕赵两国长时间相持，对两者都没好处。我恐怕强大的秦国要当渔夫了。所以请大王再仔细考虑这件事。”赵惠王说：“好。”于是停止了攻打燕国的计划。

鹬蚌相争,比喻双方争执不下，两败俱伤，让第三者占了便宜。