自私自利

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: zì sī zì lì
• English Translation: Self-centered and pursuing personal gain
• Idiom Composition: 「自」（Self）＋「私」（Selfishness, private interests）＋「自」（Self）＋「利」（Benefit, profit）
• Meaning: Describes a state of only considering one's own interests without regard for others. It refers to being self-centered and lacking empathy or consideration for others, and is used with a negative connotation.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「自私自利」 contains the following nuances:

• Self-centeredness: Represents an attitude of always putting oneself at the center and not trying to understand others' positions or feelings.
• Egoism: Indicates prioritizing one's own interests above all else, even at the expense or inconvenience of others.
• Lack of empathy: Implies an inability to empathize with others' pain or suffering, resulting in a cold attitude.
• Lack of social responsibility: Means ignoring social rules and manners, acting selfishly without regard for others.

3. Usage

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

• Character evaluation: Used to criticize a person who ignores others and pursues only their own interests.
  • Example:「他是一个自私自利的人，从不为别人着想。」
    （He is a self-centered person who never thinks about others.）
• Criticism of behavior: Used to criticize selfish actions or behaviors that sacrifice others.
  • Example:「在这种情况下，你还自私自利，只顾自己逃跑，真是太可耻了！」
    （In this situation, you are still only thinking of yourself and running away alone; it's truly shameful!）
• Pointing out social issues: Used to point out the prevalence of egoistic attitudes and self-centered thinking in society.
  • Example:「自私自利的风气，正在侵蚀着我们的社会。」
    （The trend of pursuing selfish interests is eroding our society.）

Additional Examples:

1. 他为了自己的利益，自私自利地把责任推给了别人。
   （He selfishly shifted the responsibility to others for his own benefit.）
2. 在这个团队里，没有人喜欢他，因为他总是自私自利，不顾及别人的感受。
   （No one in this team likes him because he is always self-centered and disregards others' feelings.）
3. 这种自私自利的行为，最终会损害他自己的声誉。
   （Such selfish behavior will eventually damage his own reputation.）
4. 我们应该教育孩子不要自私自利，要学会与他人分享。
   （We should teach children not to be self-centered and to learn to share with others.）
5. 自私自利的人，往往难以获得真正的友谊。
   （People who are selfishly pursuing their own interests often find it difficult to gain true friendship.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Influence of Confucianism: Traditional Chinese values, influenced by Confucianism, emphasize collectivism and the spirit of 'ren' (benevolence). '自私自利' is strongly viewed as a negative behavior that contradicts these values.
• Modern social issues: In recent years, individualistic thinking has been spreading in Chinese society, and selfish behaviors described by '自私自利' have increasingly become a concern.
• Strong criticism: '自私自利' is a very strong term of criticism. When using it, one should consider the relationship and context carefully.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 损人利己 (sǔn rén lì jǐ): To harm others for one's own benefit.
  • 唯利是图 (wéi lì shì tú): To pursue only profit without regard for others.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 大公无私 (dà gōng wú sī): To be fair and selfless.
  • 舍己为人 (shě jǐ wèi rén): To sacrifice oneself for others.

6. Summary

'自私自利' is a term strongly viewed negatively in light of traditional Chinese values. It is important to understand its strong critical meaning and use it appropriately. This idiom also offers insight into the tension between rising individualism in modern Chinese society and traditional cultural values.