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只缘身在最高层

只緣身在最高層
zhǐ yuán shēn zài zuì gāo céng
quotation

Meanings

  1. 1 simply because I stand on the highest floor
  2. 2 the reason I see far is that I've climbed above
  3. 3 perspective expands when you rise to a higher vantage point

Examples

HSK 7-9
不畏浮云遮望眼，只缘身在最高层。
Búwèifúyúnzhēwàngyǎn, zhǐyuánshēnzàizuìgāocéng.
I do not fear the drifting clouds blocking my view - simply because I stand on the topmost floor.
HSK 7-9
他看问题总是高屋建瓴，真是只缘身在最高层。
Tā kàn wèntí zǒngshì gāowūjiànlíng, zhēnshì zhǐyuánshēnzàizuìgāocéng.
He always sees issues from on high - truly 'because he stands on the topmost floor.'

Tips

history
From Wang Anshi's (王安石, Northern Song dynasty) 《登飞来峰》: 飞来山上千寻塔，闻说鸡鸣见日升。不畏浮云遮望眼，只缘身在最高层 - 'On Feilai Peak a thousand-fathom pagoda; they say at cockcrow you can see the sun rise. I do not fear drifting clouds blocking my view, because I stand on the highest level.' Often read as Wang's self-portrait at the height of his reform career.
usage
Almost always quoted with its twin 不畏浮云遮望眼. The modern political reading: rise above petty obstructions (浮云 'drifting clouds') by taking a higher strategic position. Widely cited in Chinese leadership speeches.

Stroke Order

只 zhǐ
缘 yuán
身 shēn
在 zài
最 zuì
高 gāo
层 céng