jiàn见seelì利profitwàng忘forgetyì义righteousness
To forget morality at the sight of profit; to be blinded by greed.
Literal meaning
see (见) — profit (利) — forget (忘) — righteousness (义)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase condemning those who prioritize personal gain over ethical principles.
Examples
Tā他shì是ge个jiàn见lì利wàng忘yì义de的xiǎo小rén人。
He is a petty person who forgets morality at the sight of profit.
Wǒ我men们bù不néng能wèi为le了yǎn眼qián前de的lì利yì益ér而jiàn见lì利wàng忘yì义。
We cannot forget morality for the sake of immediate interests.
Usage & nuances
Negative connotation, used to criticize someone's behavior.
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