深谋远虑

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: shēn móu yuǎn lǜ
• English Translation: Deep planning and far-sightedness
• Idiom Composition: 「深」（Deep or thorough）＋「谋」（To plan or strategize）＋「远」（Far or long-term）＋「虑」（To consider or think over）
• Meaning: To think deeply and plan for the distant future rather than just immediate concerns. It is a complimentary term used to describe the foresight and strategic thoughtfulness required of leaders and visionaries.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「深谋远虑」 contains the following nuances:

• Temporal Scope: The idiom emphasizes looking 'far' (远) into the future. It is not just about thinking deeply in the moment, but ensuring that actions today serve a purpose years down the line.
• Strategic Thinking: Because it includes the character 谋 (móu), meaning 'to plan,' it implies an active, strategic approach rather than passive worry or simple prediction.

3. Usage

「深谋远虑」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Business and Management Strategy: Used to praise a leader's judgment regarding long-term corporate growth and risk management.
  • Example:「这位CEO深谋远虑，早在五年前就开始布局新能源市场。」
    （This CEO is a person of deep planning and far-sightedness, having already begun positioning for the new energy market five years ago.）
• Politics and Diplomacy: Refers to politicians or leaders taking policies that look toward long-term national stability and international relations.
  • Example:「这项政策体现了政府为了国家长治久安的深谋远虑。」
    （This policy embodies the government's far-sightedness for the long-term stability and peace of the nation.）
• Personal Career and Life Planning: Can be used to praise wise decisions regarding personal paths, such as education or financial planning.
  • Example:「父母为孩子的教育做了深谋远虑的安排。」
    （The parents made far-sighted arrangements for their child's education.）

Additional Examples:

1. 如果不深谋远虑，公司很难在激烈的竞争中生存。
   （Without deep planning and far-sightedness, it is difficult for a company to survive in fierce competition.）
2. 他是一个深谋远虑的人，从不打无准备之仗。
   （He is a man of great foresight, never fighting a battle he is not prepared for.）
3. 这个项目看似冒险，其实是经过深谋远虑的。
   （This project may seem risky, but it is actually the result of deep planning and far-sightedness.）
4. 我们要学会深谋远虑，不能只顾眼前的利益。
   （We should learn to think ahead and plan deeply, rather than only caring about immediate interests.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• This idiom originates from the essay Finding Fault with Qin (过秦论) by the Western Han dynasty statesman Jia Yi (贾谊). It was used to analyze the grand national strategies of the First Emperor of Qin (秦始皇).
• The concept is closely related to a famous teaching by Confucius (孔子) in the Analects (论语): 'If a person does not have long-term considerations, they will surely have immediate worries' (人无远虑，必有近忧).
• While it can be used in daily life, it retains a formal and respectful tone, often reserved for describing high-level strategy or life-changing decisions.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 高瞻远瞩 (gāo zhān yuǎn zhǔ): To stand high and see far; possessing great foresight and vision.
  • 未雨绸缪 (wèi yǔ chóu móu): To repair the house before it rains; to take precautions and be prepared for future trouble.
  • 运筹帷幄 (yùn chóu wéi wò): To devise strategies within a command tent.link
  • 足智多谋 (zú zhì duō móu): Resourceful and full of strategies.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 鼠目寸光 (shǔ mù cùn guāng): To see only as far as a mouse; being extremely short-sighted and narrow-minded.
  • 急功近利 (jí gōng jìn lì): Eager for quick success and instant benefits; sacrificing long-term goals for immediate gain.
  • 走马观花 (zǒu mǎ guān huā): To look at flowers while riding a horse, meaning to take a quick, superficial look at things.link
  • 走马看花 (zǒu mǎ kàn huā): To give a quick, cursory look at things.link

6. Summary

深谋远虑 (shēn móu yuǎn lǜ) describes the act of making thorough, long-term plans with great foresight. It is frequently used to praise leaders in business or politics, emphasizing that their decisions are based on wisdom and a long-term vision rather than mere impulse or short-term gain.