哀莫大于心死

1. • nothing sadder than a withered heart (idiom attributed to Confucius by Zhuangzi 庄子 zhuāngzǐ)
2. • no greater sorrow than a heart that never rejoices
3. • the worst sorrow is not as bad as an uncaring heart
4. • nothing is more wretched than apathy

Character by character

• 哀(āi)Ai (c. 2000 BC), sixth of legendary Flame Emperors 炎帝 yándì descended from Shennong 神农 shénnóng Farmer God, also known as Li 厘 lí
• 莫(mò)surname Mo
• 大(dà)big
• 于(yú)surname Yu
• 心(xīn)heart
• 死(sǐ)die