一己之私 selfish interest
Explanation
指个人只顾自己的私心、私利，不顾大局或他人利益。
Refers to the individual's self-interest and private gain, regardless of the common good or the interests of others.
Origin Story
战国时期，齐国有一位名叫孟尝君的富豪，他门客众多，其中有一位名叫冯谖的食客，他不仅精明能干，而且深知孟尝君的为人。 一天，冯谖对孟尝君说：“您有三个产业：薛邑、 阳城、 狡西，可您从未去过，更没有去看看百姓过得怎么样，他们一定会说您没有心。” 孟尝君说：“那是我的私产，我当然可以不去。”冯谖却说：“您应该时常去看看，这样才能知道百姓的疾苦，才能让他们感受到您的仁义。” 孟尝君听了冯谖的话，觉得有道理，便决定去看看自己的产业。 他来到薛邑，看到百姓生活贫困，便命令手下发放粮食和钱财，帮助他们渡过难关。然后，他又来到了阳城，发现那里的人们正在遭受旱灾，便命令手下开挖水渠，引水灌溉田地。最后，他又来到狡西，发现那里的人们正在遭受战乱，便命令手下招募士兵，保护百姓的安全。 孟尝君的仁义之举让百姓们对他感激涕零，他们纷纷称赞孟尝君是他们的恩人。 后来，孟尝君因为自己的功劳被封为相国，他并没有忘记自己的百姓，依然坚持为民办事，最终成为了名垂青史的贤相。 孟尝君的故事告诉我们，一个人即使是富贵显达，也不应该只顾一己之私，而应该心系百姓，为民谋利，才能得到真正的幸福和快乐。
During the Warring States Period, there was a wealthy man named Mengchangjun in the state of Qi. He had many clients, including one named Fengxuan. Fengxuan was not only clever and capable, but also knew Mengchangjun very well. One day, Fengxuan said to Mengchangjun, “You have three properties: Xueyi, Yangcheng, and Jiaoxi, but you have never been there, and you have never gone to see how the people are doing. They will certainly say that you have no heart.” Mengchangjun said, “Those are my private properties, I don’t have to go there.” Fengxuan replied, “You should go there often, so that you can know the hardships of the people, and so that they can feel your benevolence and righteousness.” Mengchangjun listened to Fengxuan's words and thought they were reasonable. So he decided to go and see his properties. He came to Xueyi and saw that the people were living in poverty. He ordered his subordinates to distribute food and money to help them overcome the difficulties. Then he came to Yangcheng and found that the people were suffering from a drought. He ordered his subordinates to dig irrigation canals to irrigate the fields. Finally, he came to Jiaoxi and found that the people were suffering from war. He ordered his subordinates to recruit soldiers to protect the people's safety. Mengchangjun's acts of benevolence made the people grateful. They praised him as their benefactor. Later, Mengchangjun was appointed prime minister because of his merits. He did not forget his people and continued to serve them. Eventually, he became a wise minister whose name is recorded in history. Mengchangjun's story tells us that even if a person is wealthy and powerful, he should not only care about his own interests, but should care about the people and work for their benefit. Only then can he achieve true happiness and joy.
Usage
这个成语通常用于批评那些只顾自己利益，不顾他人利益的人。
This idiom is often used to criticize those who only care about their own interests and disregard the interests of others.
Examples
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他只顾一己之私，不顾他人利益。
tā zhǐ gù yī jǐ zhī sī, bù gù tā rén lì yì.
He only cares about his own interests, regardless of the interests of others.
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为了满足一己之私，他出卖了朋友。
wèi le mǎn zú yī jǐ zhī sī, tā chū mài le péng yǒu
To satisfy his own selfish interests, he betrayed his friend.