Buy the Case and Return the Pearl |买椟还珠 Mǎi dú huán zhū

In ancient China during the Warring States Period, a jeweler from Chu frequently traveled between Chu and Zheng to trade jewelry.

Hoping for a good price in Zheng, he hired craftsmen to create exquisite wooden boxes from rare lily magnolia wood, perfumed with spices, and adorned with bright green and rosy jade stones. Confident in his product, one day he placed jewelry inside these boxes and set up shop in a bustling market. Crowds admired the boxes’ beauty and unique decorations, ignoring the jeweler’s attempts to highlight the jewelry’s beauty. Eventually, a man bought a box with a high price, but soon returned and took out the pearl inside to the jeweler, only marveling at the box’s beauty. It was a wry smile that crossed the jeweler’s face, realizing the boxes had stolen the show.

This story shows us that too much wrapping or decoration can hide what’s really important and lose their main point or message. There’s an English saying that goes, “Less is more,” which means simplicity and moderation are key.