《言过其实》成语英译与典故

八十三、言过其实

公元228年的一天，

诸葛亮带兵打祁山，

那时候三国鼎立势已成，

祁山属于魏国管。

诸葛亮身为西蜀相，

有一位将领他很喜欢，

这个人名字叫马谡（sù），

自恃才高很健谈。

自以为兵书读得不算少，

经常对用兵打仗陈己见。

尽管是孔明对他很器重，

刘玄德却深知马谡有缺点。

刘备在临终前反复叮嘱诸葛亮，

说马谡之才很一般，

言过其实不虚心，

使用一定要慎重点，

切不可委以重任去领兵，

诸葛亮却并不以为然。

过不久任命马谡做参军，

经常跟他把兵书谈。

这一次孔明带兵打祁山，

先锋官，大家都估计是魏延。

没想到孔明竟然封马谡，

叫他领兵走在前，

还让他立了军令状，

可马谡，全不把魏兵放心间。

到后来丢失街亭要塞地，

被魏兵杀败实在惨。

诸葛亮又一次伐魏成泡影，

退回汉中把气叹。

军纪军法当严肃，

只得忍痛含泪把马谡斩。

“言过其实”作成语，

常形容不切实际尚空谈。

言语夸大吹牛皮，

必然失败落笑谈。

His Words Are More than His Real Talent

One day in the year of 228 A.D.，Zhuge Liang led his troops to attack Qishan Mountain.At that time，the Three Kingdoms had already formed the pattern of tri⁃pot.Qishan was the territory of the kingdom of Wei.Zhuge Liang，the prime minister of the kingdom of Shu had one favourite general by the name of Ma Su，who was quite self⁃confident and had a silver⁃tongue.He was so well⁃read about the art of war that he often stated his strategies before battles.

Although Zhuge Liang liked him very much，Liu Bei knew very well Ma Su had shortcomings.Before his death Liu Bei repeatedly told Zhuge Liang that Ma Su was only a common talent.His words were more than his real talent and he knew nothing about modes⁃ty.He told Zhuge Liang to be careful of him，and he should not trust him as much as to appoint him to too high a post.But Zhuge Liang didn't take it seriously.Before long he appointed Ma Su as a military consult⁃ant，and talked often with him about the art of war.

At this time Zhuge Liang led the troops to attack Qishan.The pioneering general was generally thought to be Wei Yan，but surprisingly，Zhuge Liang named Ma Su，and let him march in the front.He had even signed a guarantee.But Ma Su turned a blind eye to Wei soldier's powerfulness.In the end the important fortifier Jieting was lost，and his soldiers were seri⁃ously beaten.Zhuge Liang's plan to attack Wei turned to soap bubbles，and he sighed his sorrow after re⁃treating to Hanzhong.The military laws and regula⁃tions should be taken seriously，so he had to behead Mu Su with tears in his eyes.

“His Words Are More than His Real Talent”became an idiom denoting those who are talkative but not prag⁃matic，who brag and boast and blow very hard，only to meet their failure and remain a laughing stock.