嫉贤妒能 jí xián dù néng Jealousy of talented people

Explanation

嫉贤妒能是指对那些品德、才能比自己强的人心怀嫉妒，甚至采取打压、排挤等手段。

Jealousy of talented people refers to the jealousy felt toward those whose moral character and abilities are superior to one's own, and even to take measures to suppress or ostracize them.

Origin Story

话说战国时期，楚国有一位名叫庄子的隐士，他非常有智慧，而且淡泊名利。有一天，他去拜访一位朋友，这位朋友向他介绍了一位年轻有为的官员，这位官员不仅才华横溢，而且为人正直，深受百姓爱戴。庄子听后，并没有表现出嫉妒，反而赞扬这位官员的才德。朋友不解，问道：“你为何不嫉妒他？”庄子笑道：“我为何要嫉妒他呢？每个人都有自己的长处和短处，我不应该因为别人的优秀而感到不快。更何况，嫉妒只会让自己痛苦，而不会让别人变得更差。与其嫉妒别人，不如努力提升自己，让自己变得更好。”朋友听后，恍然大悟，从此改掉了嫉贤妒能的毛病，开始努力学习和工作，最终也取得了不错的成就。

huà shuō zhànguó shíqí, chǔ guó yǒu yī wèi míng jiào zhuāngzi de yǐnshì, tā fēicháng yǒu zhìhuì, érqiě dàn bó mínglì。yǒuyītiān, tā qù bàifǎng yī wèi péngyou, zhè wèi péngyou xiàng tā jièshào le yī wèi niánqīng yǒuwéi de guān yuán, zhè wèi guān yuán bù jǐn cáihuá héngyì, érqiě wéirén zhèngzhí, shēnshòu bàixìng àidài。zhuāngzǐ tīng hòu, bìng méiyǒu biǎoxiàn chū jídù, fǎn'ér zànyáng zhè wèi guān yuán de cáidé。péngyou bù jiě, wèndào：“nǐ wèihé bù jídù tā？”zhuāngzǐ xiàodào：“wǒ wèihé yào jídù tā ne？mỗi gè rén dōu yǒu zìjǐ de chángchù hé duǎnchù, wǒ bù yīnggāi yīnwèi bié rén de yōuxiù ér gǎndào bù kuài。gèng kuàng fēng, jídù zhǐ huì ràng zìjǐ tòngkǔ, ér bù huì ràng bié rén biàn de gèng chà。yǔ qí jídù bié rén, bùrú nǔlì tíshēng zìjǐ, ràng zìjǐ biàn de gèng hǎo。”péngyou tīng hòu, huǎngrán dàwù, cóng cǐ gǎi diào jíxián dùnéng de máobing, kāishǐ nǔlì xuéxí hé gōngzuò, zuìzhōng yě qǔdé le bù cuò de chéngjiù。

During the Warring States period, there was a recluse named Zhuangzi in the Chu kingdom. He was very wise and indifferent to fame and fortune. One day, he visited a friend, and his friend introduced him to a young and promising official. This official was not only talented but also upright and loved by the people. Zhuangzi, instead of showing jealousy, praised the official's virtues. His friend asked puzzledly, "Why aren't you jealous of him?" Zhuangzi smiled and said, "Why should I be jealous? Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. I shouldn't feel bad about others' excellence. Moreover, jealousy only makes oneself suffer, not makes others worse. Rather than being jealous of others, why not work hard and improve myself?" His friend had an epiphany. From then on, he corrected his vice of jealousy and worked hard, eventually achieving great success.

Usage

形容妒忌贤能的人。常用于批评贬斥。

xiárong dùjì xián néng de rén。cháng yòng yú pīpíng biǎnchì。

Describes someone who is jealous of talented and capable people. Often used to criticize and condemn.

Examples

• 他总是嫉贤妒能，不愿看到比自己优秀的人。

  tā zǒngshì jíxián dùnéng, bùyuàn kàn dào bǐ zìjǐ yōuxiù de rén。

  He is always jealous of those who are more talented than him.

• 历史上，有很多例子说明嫉贤妒能最终会害人害己。

  lìshǐ shàng, yǒu hěn duō lìzi shuōmíng jíxián dùnéng zuìzhōng huì hài rén hài jǐ。

  History is full of examples of how jealousy of talented people ultimately hurts both others and oneself.

• 他的成功并非偶然，而是因为他能够容人，不嫉贤妒能。

  tā de chénggōng bìngfēi ǒurán, érshì yīnwèi tā nénggòu róng rén, bù jíxián dùnéng。

  His success was not accidental, but because he could tolerate others and not be jealous of talented people.

Related Idioms

• 妒才嫉贤

• 忌妒

Opposite Idioms

• 爱才惜才

• 知人善任