The idiom "to drop stones on someone who has fallen down a well" comes from Han Yu's "Epitaph for Liu Zihou".
Tips
history
子厚 was the style name of 柳宗元, who died in exile in 柳州 in 819. 韩愈 praises his learning and his good work as a governor, and tells how, when their friend 刘禹锡 was sent to a far worse post with an old mother to care for, Liu offered to go there in his place.
culture
Han Yu contrasts this loyalty with fair-weather friends who, when a friend falls into a pit, push him further in and drop stones on him: the origin of 落井下石. 交口称赞 "praised by everyone" and 踔厉风发 "sharp and vigorous" also come from it.
