What do you mean, it's better to be a chicken head than a phoenix tail?

Meaning: I would rather be a master in a humble place than be bound in a noble place.

From: The Warring States Policy, Han Ce I, Su Qin called the king of Bill Han Chu He Cong.

Original text: "It is better to be a chicken mouth than a cow queen."

Interpretation: I would rather be the tongue in the chicken's mouth than the tail behind the cow. The so-called chicken generation refers to lowliness, and the cow generation refers to nobility. It is better to be a weighty speaker in a humble place than to be an insignificant role in a noble place.

This sentence is positive, reflecting the idea that individuals have ambitions in all directions and don't want to be bound.

Extended data

Su Qin was a famous strategist, diplomat and strategist in the Warring States period.

In his early years, he devoted himself to guiguzi and learned the art of vertical and horizontal. I have traveled for many years and am down and out. Later, he assiduously studied Yin Fu, lobbied other countries, gained recognition, sent an envoy to Zhao, put forward the strategic concept of "uniting the six countries to resist Qin", and finally formed an alliance, which was "about a long time ago" and attached great importance to the six countries, making Qin afraid to send troops to Hangu Pass for fifteen years.

The story of being the head of a chicken comes from Su Qin's saying that he is Chu Hanwang. I have heard a very vulgar saying,' Better be the head of a chicken than the queen of an ox'. Today, the king is in the west and the minister is in Qin. What's the difference with the queen cow? My husband's sage is Qiang Bing of North Korea, known as the Queen of Cattle, and I am ashamed of him.

The king of Korea was angry and pressed his sword. He looked up at the sky and said, "Although I am dead, I can't serve Qin."

Interpretation: Su Qin said to King Han, I know a saying: "It is better to be a chicken tongue than an ox tail". Now, the king has served the western state of Qin as a courtier. What's the difference with oxtail? Qiang Bing, a wise man of your majesty, is known as the oxtail. I am really ashamed of your majesty.

Hanwang was very angry after hearing this. He raised his hand, held down his sword and sighed to heaven: "I can't serve Qin even if I die."

Baidu encyclopedia-it's better to be a chicken head

Baidu Encyclopedia-Su Qin