惟利是图 only seeking profit
Explanation
一心追求利益，不顾一切。形容人只顾个人利益，不顾其他一切。
To pursue profit single-mindedly, regardless of everything else. Describes someone who only cares about their own interests and ignores everything else.
Origin Story
公元前580年，秦桓公与晋厉公签订友好盟约，约定两国和平相处。然而，盟约的墨迹尚未干涸，秦桓公便派人前往狄国和楚国，怂恿他们攻打晋国。此举激怒了晋厉公，他派吕相前往秦国抗议，谴责秦桓公惟利是图，不顾信义。最终，两国爆发战争，秦国的贪婪行径最终给自己带来了灾难。这则故事警示后人，在国际交往中，诚信为本，切勿为了眼前的利益而损害长远发展。
In 580 BC, Qin Huan Gong and Jin Li Gong signed a peace treaty, agreeing to peaceful coexistence. However, before the ink on the treaty had dried, Qin Huan Gong sent envoys to Di and Chu, encouraging them to attack Jin. This angered Jin Li Gong, who sent Lü Xiang to Qin to protest, condemning Qin Huan Gong for his self-serving pursuit of profit and disregard for faith. Eventually, war broke out between the two states, and Qin's greedy actions ultimately brought disaster upon itself. This story warns against self-interest in international relations, emphasizing the importance of honesty and trustworthiness.
Usage
常用于批评那些只顾眼前利益，不顾长远发展和他人利益的人。
Often used to criticize those who only care about immediate interests, regardless of long-term development and the interests of others.
Examples
-
他为了个人利益, 惟利是图, 损害了集体利益。
ta wei le geren liyi, weili shitu, sunhai le jiti liyi.
He sought only profit, harming collective interests for his personal gain.
-
一些商家惟利是图, 严重忽视了产品质量。
yixie shangjia weili shitu, yanzhong huoshi le chanpin zhiliang
Some businesses, in pursuit of profit, seriously neglected product quality.