The idiom "Wei Bian San Jue" (Three Times Breaking the Leather Straps) originates from the "Records of the Grand Historian: Hereditary House of Confucius," which records that in his later years, Confucius studied the "Book of Changes" so frequently that the leather straps (wei) binding the bamboo slips broke multiple times (san jue). Originally, this idiom referred to Confucius's diligence in reading, and later it came to generally describe studiousness and assiduity in scholarship. Its deeper meaning emphasizes persistence and repeated deep study of knowledge, reflecting not only an investment of time but also spiritual focus and reverence. It is mostly used to describe scholars, students, or anyone who exerts tremendous effort in the pursuit of knowledge, carrying a commendatory and admiring emotional tone. In terms of cultural background, it reflects the physical form of ancient books (bamboo slips and leather straps) as well as the Confucian emphasis on studying the classics. In modern times, it is often listed alongside idioms such as "Xuan Liang Ci Gu" (tying one's hair to a beam and jabbing one's thigh with an awl) and "Zao Bi Tou Guang" (boring a hole in the wall to steal light), becoming a symbol of diligent reading that inspires people to brave hardships and delve deeply into their studies.
📝 Example
1. In order to crack this research problem, he almost wore out the bindings of his books, studying so intensively that the relevant literature was left tattered and torn. (Describing extreme diligence in reading or research.)
2. The old professor's scholarly spirit of wearing out the bindings of his books deeply inspired every student. (Describing painstaking scholarship and repeated intensive study.)