sǔn损harmrén人otherslì利benefitjǐ己oneself
Harm others to benefit oneself; benefit oneself at the expense of others.
Literal meaning
harm (损) — others (人) — benefit (利) — oneself (己)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase condemning selfish behavior.
Examples
Wǒ我men们bù不yīng应gāi该zuò做sǔn损rén人lì利jǐ己de的shì事qíng情。
We should not do things that harm others to benefit ourselves.
Tā他de的xíng行wéi为shì是diǎn典xíng型de的sǔn损rén人lì利jǐ己。
His behavior is a typical example of benefiting oneself at the expense of others.
Usage & nuances
Has a strongly negative connotation, condemning selfishness and exploitation.
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