Wu Ju was a minister of Chu during the Spring and Autumn Period. When his father-in-law fled after breaking the law, rumors spread that Wu Ju had warned him. Fearing punishment, Wu Ju fled with his family to Zheng. His friend Shengzi, passing through Zheng on a diplomatic mission to Jin, learned of his plight. After returning, the Prime Minister of Chu asked Shengzi: 'Who are more talented - Jin's ministers or ours?' Shengzi replied: 'Jin has few native talents, yet many of its best ministers are men from Chu who were not valued here and went abroad. This is called Chu talent, Jin employment.' The Prime Minister realized his mistake and recalled Wu Ju, restoring his position.
伍举，春秋时楚国大夫。一次，他的岳父犯法逃跑，有人造谣说伍举向他通风报信。伍举担心楚王会听信谣言治他的罪，便带着全家逃到了郑国。他的好友声子出使晋国路过郑国时遇到了伍举，声子很替伍举报不平。声子出使回来后，楚国令尹子木问他：晋国的大夫和楚国的大夫相比，谁更有才能？声子回答说：晋国本国没有太多的人才，但晋国有很多有才能的大夫，他们多半都是楚国人。这些人在楚国得不到重用，所以都去了晋国。楚国很多有用的人才在晋国都得到了重用。有人说，这叫楚材晋用。子木听后恍然大悟，马上派人将伍举接回了楚国，恢复了他的官职。
Reflection & Analysis · 寓意解读
Core Wisdom
When a nation does not cherish its talent, that talent will serve its rivals. The idiom warns against the waste of human capital through neglect, prejudice, or corruption.
When a nation does not cherish its talent, that talent will serve its rivals. The idiom warns against the waste of human capital through neglect, prejudice, or corruption.