隱己之長(zhǎng)，補(bǔ)己之短?！绊w”本指劍衣或弓袋，引申為內(nèi)藏；“光”即光芒、光彩，比喻實(shí)力、才華等優(yōu)長(zhǎng)；“韜光”即收斂自己的光芒，指不以自身優(yōu)長(zhǎng)而炫耀、張揚(yáng)?！梆B(yǎng)”即修養(yǎng)、培養(yǎng)；“晦”即昏暗不明，與“光”相對(duì)，比喻自身的劣勢(shì)、短處；“養(yǎng)晦”指加強(qiáng)修養(yǎng)，彌補(bǔ)自身不足。此語體現(xiàn)了中國人低調(diào)、內(nèi)斂，注重自我完善和發(fā)展的精神氣質(zhì)。

This term means not to publicize one's strong points but make up for one's weak points. Tao means a sword sheath or an arrow box. Guang means light, indicating one's capability and talent. Taoguang means not to advertise one's strong points, and never to boast about or show off one's talent or skills. Yang means cultivation while hui means dimness, indicating weakness or disadvantage. Yanghui means to strengthen one's cultivation and offset one's weaknesses. This term shows that the Chinese people uphold modesty, restraint, self-cultivation, and self-enhancement.

引例 Citations：

◎圣人卑謙，清靜辭讓者見下也，虛心無有者見不足也，見下故能致其高，見不足故能成其賢。（《文子·九守》）

圣明的人很謙卑，生性清靜謙讓的人總把自己看得很低，虛心而不以為什么都懂的人總看到自己的不足，把自己看得很低反而能實(shí)現(xiàn)更高的目標(biāo)，覺得自己不足的人反而能成就高尚的品德。

A noble person is humble. A sedate and modest person always keeps a low profile, and is aware of his own weaknesses. A person who keeps a low profile may be able to reach high goals. A person who is aware of his own weaknesses may be able to accomplish high morality. (Wenzi)

◎自顧年老才庸，粗知《易》理，亦急擬獨(dú)善潛修，韜光養(yǎng)晦。（鄭觀應(yīng)《盛世危言·自敘》）

想到自己上了年紀(jì)，才學(xué)平庸，粗知《周易》所講的道理，打算趕快獨(dú)自潛心修養(yǎng)，隱己之長(zhǎng)，補(bǔ)己之短。

Thinking that I am getting on in age, without much talent, and only have a shallow understanding of some concepts expounded in The Book of Changes, I must hurry to cultivate myself, keep a low profile, and make up my own weaknesses. (Zheng Guanying: Warning Words in a Prosperous Society)

推薦：教育部 國家語委

供稿：北京外國語大學(xué) 外語教學(xué)與研究出版社

責(zé)任編輯：錢耐安