The Story:
* King Croesus was a wealthy and powerful ruler. He was known for his wisdom and his love of learning.
* He sent a messenger to the Oracle of Delphi to ask for advice on an upcoming war.
* The Oracle, however, gave him a cryptic answer: "If Croesus crosses the Halys River, he will destroy a great empire."
* Croesus interpreted this as meaning he would win the war and conquer a great empire. He crossed the Halys River and was defeated, losing his own empire to the Persians.
* Instead of blaming the Oracle for her ambiguous answer, Croesus blamed the messenger for bringing him the bad news.
The Meaning:
The phrase "shoot the messenger" signifies the act of blaming the bearer of bad news instead of accepting the reality of the situation. It highlights the human tendency to lash out at those who deliver unwelcome information, rather than confronting the issue itself.
Other Origins:
While the story of King Croesus is the most well-known origin, it's possible that the phrase evolved independently in other cultures as well. The concept of punishing the messenger for bad news is universal and resonates throughout history.
In modern usage:
The phrase is still relevant today, reminding us to avoid scapegoating and to engage with difficult situations constructively.