臣不敢当众居功
“[Act with Caution] I dared not claim credit publicly,”
THE DIALOGUE REEL
关于西北之乱议论纷纷
“there was much discussion about the turmoil in the Northwest.”
臣 不敢当 众居功
“[Act with Caution] I dared not claim credit publicly,”
但仍有一事未表
“[Act with Caution] but there is one thing I haven't reported to you. [Speak with Caution]”
“I am not looking for personal glory, but there is a crucial truth the court must know.”
Ministers in imperial China were expected to deflect personal glory to the throne to avoid arousing the ruler's suspicion of ambition or arrogance.
LEARNING CHUNKS & PARTICLES
dare not
A classic deferential expression used in formal contexts to politely decline praise or reject improper recognition.
claim credit in public
A formal four-character collocation referring to arrogantly claiming personal credit before an audience.
