"Wanwu Sangzhi" (Excessive indulgence in playthings saps one's ambition) means that indulging in the things one enjoys will wear away and cause one to lose one's enterprising aspirations. Here, "wan" means to enjoy or become addicted to, "wu" broadly refers to objects, skills, entertainment, and the like, "sang" means to lose, and "zhi" refers to aspiration and ambition. This idiom comes from the Book of Documents, "Travelling Mastiff": "Dallying with people loses virtue; dallying with things loses ambition." It originally advised rulers not to become addicted to rare treasures, sensual pleasures, and amusements, lest they neglect state affairs. In modern usage, it is often used to criticize behavior in which people become excessively addicted to games, collecting, entertainment, and other hobbies, to the point that it affects their studies, work, or life goals. Its emotional tone is generally derogatory and carries a warning sense, emphasizing the balance between moderate entertainment and steadfast ambition. In cultural background, it reflects the Confucian emphasis on "zhi" (aspiration), holding that people should cultivate themselves and set their resolve, and should not lose their true purpose because of external things. It is mostly used in scenarios such as elders admonishing younger people, teachers educating students, or self-reflection, reminding people not to let hobbies take over and make them slaves to playthings.
📝 Example
1. He used to be an excellent student, but after becoming addicted to online games, he indulged in play and lost his ambition, and in the end he failed even to get into university. (Losing the ambition to study because of addiction to games)
2. Collecting antiques is originally an elegant pursuit, but if one ruins one's fortune and neglects one's career for it, then that is indulging in play and losing one's ambition. (Losing career ambition because of addiction to collecting)