"The army was sent out before victory could be won, yet the leader died first" comes from the Tang dynasty poet Du Fu's "The Prime Minister of Shu." The original line reads, "The army was sent out before victory could be won, yet the leader died first, ever making heroes weep and wet their garments." It was written by Du Fu when he was mourning Zhuge Liang. Literally, it means that the troops had set out for battle but had not yet achieved victory when the leader himself died first. Its deeper meaning refers to dying with one's lofty aspirations unfulfilled and one's cause unfinished, and it is often used to describe heroes or people of high ambition who pass away with regret before their goals are realized. It is mostly used in scenes of remembrance, mourning, or lamenting that someone died young or before completing great deeds, and it can also be used for self-mockery or sighing that, despite one's efforts having come to nothing, one no longer has the strength to continue. In terms of cultural background, this idiom carries the Confucian spirit of loyalty and righteousness expressed in "bending one's back to the task until one's dying day," and it also reflects the ancients' profound sorrow over the unpredictability of fate and the brevity of life. Its emotional tone is extremely tragic and mournful, carrying a strong sense of regret and reverence, and it is often used in solemn, serious contexts, and is not suitable for light or joking use.
📝 Example
1. That scientist devoted half his life to the quest to conquer cancer, but alas, he died before his mission was accomplished and never lived to see the new drug reach the market. (Referring to dying before one's grand ambition is fulfilled.)
2. He had hoped to lead the team to compete for the championship, but died of a sudden heart attack. Truly, he died before his mission was accomplished, which makes one sigh with deep regret. (Referring to dying before one's goal is achieved.)