撫掌

撫掌

1. (literary) to clap one's hands (to show happiness, ridicule, or anger)

   • 緣使中人未分於存亡，下士撫掌而弗顧，近而不可知者，其唯物性乎？ [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     缘使中人未分于存亡，下士抚掌而弗顾，近而不可知者，其唯物性乎？ [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: c. late 4th century, Sengzhao (僧肇), Zhaolun (《肇論》)

     Yuán shǐ zhōngrén wèifēn yú cúnwáng, xiàshì fǔzhǎng ér fúgù, jìn ér bùkězhī zhě, qí wéi wùxìng hū? [Pinyin]

     Therefore, what makes
     mediocre men doubt about its truth,
     and fools clap their hands with derision;
     what is so close yet beyond grasp:
     — is that not the true nature of things?

   • 陸士衡聞而撫掌，是所甘心；張平子見而陋之，固其宜矣。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     陆士衡闻而抚掌，是所甘心；张平子见而陋之，固其宜矣。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: c. 578, Yu Xin (庾信), The Lament for the South (《哀江南賦》)

     Lù Shìhéng wén ér fǔzhǎng, shì suǒ gānxīn; Zhāng Píngzǐ jiàn ér lòuzhī, gù qí yíyǐ. [Pinyin]

     I shall be satisfied by a real bard's scoffing,
     Desiring no more than his rightful dismissal.