竭泽而渔 jiézé'éryú to fish out a pond

Explanation

比喻只顾眼前利益,不顾长远打算,最终将资源耗尽。

A metaphor that only considers short-term interests and ignores long-term plans, ultimately leading to the depletion of resources.

Origin Story

春秋时期,晋文公向两位谋士询问如何才能战胜强大的楚国军队。狐偃建议采取欺骗战术,而雍季则反对,他认为这种做法如同竭泽而渔,虽然可以暂时获得胜利,但最终会损害长远利益,最终建议采取实力对抗。晋文公采纳了雍季的建议,最终取得了胜利,也明白了可持续发展的道理。

chūnqiū shíqī, jìn wén gōng xiàng liǎng wèi móushì xúnwèn rúhé cáinéng zhànshèng qiángdà de chǔ guó jūnduì. hú yǎn jiànyì cǎiqǔ qīpiàn zhànshù, ér yōng jì zé fǎnduì, tā rènwéi zhè zhǒng zuòfǎ rútóng jiézé'éryú, suīrán kěyǐ zànshí huòdé shènglì, dàn zuìzhōng huì sǔnhài chángqí lìyì, zuìzhōng jiànyì cǎiqǔ shí lì duìkàng. jìn wén gōng cǎinǎ le yōng jì de jiànyì, zuìzhōng qǔdé le shènglì, yě liǎojiě le kě chíxù fāzhǎn de dàolǐ.

During the Spring and Autumn period, Duke Wen of Jin asked two strategists how to defeat the powerful Chu army. Hu Yan suggested using a deceptive tactic, while Yong Ji opposed it, arguing that this approach is like fishing out a pond, resulting in short-term gain but long-term harm. Yong Ji suggested a direct confrontation instead. Duke Wen adopted Yong Ji's strategy, eventually achieving victory and understanding the importance of sustainable development.

Usage

多用于批评不顾长远利益,只图眼前利益的行为。

duō yòng yú pīpíng bù gù chángyuǎn lìyì, zhǐ tú yǎnqián lìyì de xíngwéi.

Often used to criticize behaviors that ignore long-term interests in favor of short-term gains.

Examples

  • 为了眼前利益,竭泽而渔,最终只会损害长远利益。

    wèile yǎnqián lìyì, jiézé'éryú, zuìzhōng zhǐ huì sǔnhài chángqí lìyì.

    For the sake of immediate gain, to fish out a pond is to eventually harm long-term interests.

  • 过度开发资源,如同竭泽而渔,最终资源枯竭,得不偿失。

    guòdù kāifā zīyuán, rútóng jiézé'éryú, zuìzhōng zīyuán kūjié, děbù chángshī.

    Overexploitation of resources is like fishing out a pond, eventually leading to resource depletion and losses.

  • 企业发展不能竭泽而渔,要注重可持续发展。

    qǐyè fāzhǎn bùnéng jiézé'éryú, yào zhùzhòng kě chíxù fāzhǎn.

    Business development should not only focus on short-term profits, but also on sustainable development.