自暴自弃 abandon oneself to despair
Explanation
指自己瞧不起自己，甘于落后或堕落。
To lose self-respect and give in to failure or degradation.
Origin Story
战国时期，孟子周游列国，来到一个偏僻的小村庄。他看到一位农夫，衣衫褴褛，蓬头垢面，田地荒芜，田埂杂草丛生。孟子问他为何如此颓废，农夫叹道：“我命苦啊！年年歉收，颗粒无收，我已自暴自弃了。”孟子摇摇头，说道：“人不可自暴自弃，天行健，君子当自强不息！你应努力改变现状，而非沉溺于苦难。”孟子随即教导农夫一些耕作技巧，并鼓励他重新开始。农夫听了孟子的教诲，深受感动，从此勤奋耕作，生活逐渐好转，终于摆脱了贫困。
During the Warring States period, Mencius traveled to various states and came to a remote village. He saw a farmer whose clothes were tattered, his hair unkempt, his fields desolate, and the paths overgrown with weeds. Mencius asked him why he was so depressed, and the farmer sighed, "I am burdened by fate! Every year there are poor harvests, and I have nothing to harvest. I have given myself up to despair." Mencius shook his head and said, "One should not abandon oneself to despair, Heaven is strong and a noble man should strive incessantly! You should try to change the current situation, rather than indulging in misery." Mencius then taught the farmer some farming techniques and encouraged him to start anew. The farmer, deeply moved by Mencius' teachings, worked diligently, his life gradually improved, and he was finally able to overcome poverty.
Usage
用来形容人对自己的前途和命运失去信心，消极颓废，放弃努力。
Used to describe someone who has lost confidence in their future and destiny, is passive and decadent, and gives up trying.
Examples
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他自暴自弃，整日无所事事。
ta zibaoziqi,zhengri wusuoshi shi.
He abandoned himself to despair and did nothing all day long.
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面对失败，他不应该自暴自弃，而应该勇敢地站起来。
miandu shibai,tabushi yinggai zibaoziqi,eryinggai yonggandi zhanqilai
In the face of failure, he should not give up on himself, but should bravely stand up again.