The idiom 'not knowing what one is saying' originates from Zhuge Liang's memorial to the emperor. In 225 AD, Zhuge Liang campaigned south and captured the rebel Meng Huo seven times, releasing him each time, until Meng Huo sincerely submitted. With the south pacified, Zhuge Liang prepared to march north against Wei. Before departing, he wrote the famous 'Memorial on Dispatching the Troops' to the young emperor Liu Shan, urging him to keep worthy ministers close and petty men far away. At the end, overwhelmed with emotion, Zhuge Liang wrote: 'Now I am about to depart far away. Facing this memorial, I weep and know not what I say.'
不知所云这则成语的意思是指言语紊乱、空泛。这个成语来源于诸葛亮《前出师表》。公元225年，诸葛亮亲率大军南征孟获，他七次俘虏孟获，又七次释放，孟获终于心悦诚服地归顺蜀汉。南方平定之后，解除了后顾之忧，诸葛亮决定出师伐魏。临行前，他给刘禅写了一份《出师表》，规劝刘禅要亲贤臣，远小人。最后，诸葛亮写道：今当远离，临表涕泣，不知所云。表达他恳切、激动的心情。
Reflection & Analysis · 寓意解读
Core Wisdom
Originally, the phrase described Zhuge Liang's overwhelming sincerity and devotion. Over time it came to mean incoherent or confusing speech - but its origin is one of the most moving moments in Chinese literary history.
Originally, the phrase described Zhuge Liang's overwhelming sincerity and devotion. Over time it came to mean incoherent or confusing speech - but its origin is one of the most moving moments in Chinese literary history.