自私自利

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: zì sī zì lì
• English Translation: Selfish and self-seeking
• Idiom Composition: 「自」（Self or oneself.）＋「私」（Private or selfish, referring to personal interests.）＋「自」（Self or oneself, repeated here for emphasis.）＋「利」（Profit, benefit, or interest.）
• Meaning: To pursue only one's own interests and benefits without any regard for others or the public good. It is a strongly derogatory term used to criticize a deep moral flaw rather than just a minor personality trait.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「自私自利」 contains the following nuances:

• Intense Self-Centeredness: By repeating the concepts of 'self' (自 - zì) and 'private/profit' (私/利 - sī/lì), the idiom emphasizes that the selfishness is absolute and all-encompassing.
• Indifference to Others: It carries a strong nuance that the person is willing to let others suffer or be disadvantaged as long as they achieve their own goals.
• Moral Deficiency: Beyond a simple personality quirk, it is used to point out a lack of social conscience, ethics, and the ability to function as a helpful member of a community.

3. Usage

「自私自利」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Criticizing Character: Used to describe someone's fundamental nature as being entirely self-absorbed. This is a very strong accusation and can be confrontational.
  • Example:「他这个人极其自私自利，从来不考虑别人的感受。」
    （He is an extremely selfish and self-seeking person who never considers the feelings of others.）
• Social Trends and Group Dynamics: Used to critique behaviors within a group or society that undermine cooperation and the common good.
  • Example:「这种自私自利的行为破坏了团队的合作氛围。」
    （This kind of selfish and self-interested behavior destroys the collaborative atmosphere of the team.）

Additional Examples:

1. 如果你总是这么自私自利，早晚会失去所有的朋友。
   （If you are always so selfish, you will lose all your friends sooner or later.）
2. 为了赚钱而不顾环境污染，这是一种短视且自私自利做法。
   （Ignoring environmental pollution just to make money is a short-sighted and self-seeking approach.）
3. 我们不能容忍这种自私自利、损公肥私的人担任领导职务。
   （We cannot tolerate such selfish and self-interested people who enrich themselves at the public's expense in leadership positions.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Conflict with Confucian Values: In traditional Chinese culture, heavily influenced by Confucianism (孔子 - Kǒngzǐ), serving the 'public' (公 - gōng) and the family is considered a supreme virtue. Therefore, being 自私自利 (zì sī zì lì) is seen as a significant moral failure.
• Repetitive Structure: The '自...自...' (zì...zì...) pattern is a common rhetorical device in Chinese to intensify a meaning. Other examples include 自暴自弃 (zì bào zì qì), meaning 'to give up on oneself'.
• Usage Warning: Because this is a highly negative and derogatory term, it should not be used lightly or in a joking manner. It is intended for serious criticism of someone's character.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 损人利己 (sǔn rén lì jǐ): To harm others in order to benefit oneself.link
  • 唯利是图 (wéi lì shì tú): To be guided solely by the pursuit of profit, disregarding all moral principles.
  • 一毛不拔 (yī máo bù bá): Not willing to give up even a single hair, meaning extremely stingy.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 大公无私 (dà gōng wú sī): Perfectly impartial and selfless; putting the public interest above all else.link
  • 舍己为人 (shě jǐ wèi rén): To sacrifice one's own interests for the sake of others.
  • 顾全大局 (gù quán dà jú): To take the overall situation into consideration.link

6. Summary

自私自利 (zì sī zì lì) is a powerful idiom used to condemn behavior that is purely motivated by personal gain. It suggests a complete lack of empathy or social responsibility, marking the subject as someone who prioritizes their own 'private' (私 - sī) interests over the 'public' (公 - gōng) good.