监守自盗 jiān shǒu zì dào embezzlement

Explanation

指自己看管财物的人,偷偷地把财物偷走。比喻人身居要职,却乘机中饱私囊。

Refers to someone who is in charge of guarding property and secretly steals it. A metaphor for someone who holds an important position, but at the same time fills their own pockets.

Origin Story

唐朝时期,杨炎因家族以孝出名而被唐德宗选拔为宰相。他上任后,由于个人恩怨,处理朝政时带有很强的个人感情色彩,引起了朝中大臣的不满。宰相卢杞抓住机会,向唐德宗弹劾杨炎,说他强迫官吏代卖私第,高估房价,还监守自盗。唐德宗大怒,下令处死杨炎。这个故事告诉我们,身居高位更要廉洁奉公,否则必将受到惩罚。

tang chao shiqi, yang yan yin jiazu yi xiao chuming er bei tang dezong xuanba wei zai xiang. ta shang ren hou, youyu geren yu yuan, chuli chao zheng shi dai you hen qiang de geren ganqing seca, yinqi le chao zhong dacheng de buman. zai xiang lu qi zhua zhu jihui, xiang tang dezong tanhe yang yan, shuo ta qiangpo guanli dai mai si di, gaogu fangjia, hai jianshou zidao. tang dezong da nu, ling ling chushi yang yan. zhege gushi gaosu women, shenju gao wei geng yao lianjie fenggong, fouze bi jiang shoudao chengfa.

During the Tang Dynasty, Yang Yan was appointed prime minister by Emperor De Zong due to his family's reputation for filial piety. After taking office, due to personal grievances, he handled state affairs with strong personal emotions, causing dissatisfaction among the ministers of the court. Prime Minister Lu Qi seized the opportunity and impeached Yang Yan to Emperor De Zong, saying that he forced officials to sell his private house, overestimated the price, and also embezzled. Emperor De Zong was furious and ordered Yang Yan's execution. This story teaches us that those in high positions should be even more honest and uphold their duty, otherwise they will be punished.

Usage

形容在职守期间,盗窃自己看管的财物。多用于贬义。

xingrong zai zhishou qijian, daoqie ziji kanguan de caiwu. duo yong yu bianyi.

To describe the act of stealing property that one is guarding during one's duty. Often used in a derogatory sense.

Examples

  • 他身为仓库管理员,却监守自盗,最终被发现绳之以法。

    ta shen wei cangku guanliyuan, que jianshou zidao, zhongjiu bei faxian shengzhiyifa.

    As a warehouse manager, he embezzled and was eventually caught and punished.

  • 这家公司内部管理混乱,屡屡发生监守自盗的事件。

    zhe jia gongsi neibu guanli hunluan, lv lv fasheng jianshou zidao de shijian.

    The company's internal management was chaotic, and cases of embezzlement by employees repeatedly occurred.