護短

護短

1. (idiomatic) to stick up for oneself or one's ally despite their shortcoming or wrongdoing; to avoid exposing one's own or someone's inadequacy

   • 仲尼不假蓋於子夏，護其短也。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     仲尼不假盖于子夏，护其短也。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: c. 260, Ji Kang (嵇康), Letter to My Former Friend Shan Juyuan Severing All Bonds (《與山巨源絕交書》)

     Zhòngní bù jiǎ gài yú Zǐxià, hù qí duǎn yě. [Pinyin]

     Zhongni refused to borrow an umbrella from Zixia, for he wished to conceal Zixia's shortcoming (i.e. unwillingness to aid others) from the view of others.

   • 諸虛名之道士，既善為誑詐，以欺學者，又多護短匿愚。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     诸虚名之道士，既善为诳诈，以欺学者，又多护短匿愚。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: c. 4th century, Ge Hong (葛洪), Baopuzi (《抱朴子》)

     Zhū xūmíng zhī dàoshì, jì shàn wéi kuángzhà, yǐ qī xuézhě, yòu duō hùduǎn nìyú. [Pinyin]

     The so-called Daoists are so versed in lies and deception that learners may fall prey to them. Meanwhile they do everything to cover up their faults and conceal their stupidity.