螳螂捕蝉，黄雀在后 The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind
Explanation
螳螂捕蝉，黄雀在后，比喻目光短浅，只顾眼前利益，没有看到更深层次的潜在危险。
The mantis catches the cicada, the oriole is behind it. This metaphor describes short-sightedness, only considering immediate benefits without seeing the deeper potential dangers.
Origin Story
春秋时期，吴王阖闾想要攻打楚国。大臣们纷纷进谏，劝他三思而后行。但吴王早已被胜利冲昏了头脑，不听劝告。这时，一位大臣的儿子，名叫伍子胥，他看到吴王如此鲁莽，便决定用一个故事来点醒他。伍子胥来到吴王面前，指着花园里的一棵树，对吴王说：“大王你看，那棵树上，一只螳螂正要捕食一只蝉，可它却不知道，后面一只黄雀正虎视眈眈地盯着它呢！”吴王听后，若有所思地点点头，他终于明白了自己此时的处境，就像那只螳螂一样，只顾着眼前的猎物，却忽略了背后的危险。最终，吴王放弃了攻打楚国的计划。
During the Spring and Autumn period, King Helü of Wu planned to attack the state of Chu. His ministers strongly advised him to reconsider. However, the king was blinded by thoughts of victory and ignored their advice. At this time, a minister's son, named Wu Zixu, saw that the king was so reckless and decided to awaken him with a story. Wu Zixu came before the king, pointing to a tree in the garden and said: “Your Majesty, look at that tree. A mantis is about to devour a cicada, but it doesn't realize that a yellow oriole is lurking behind it!” After listening, King Helü thought for a moment, nodded thoughtfully, and finally understood his own situation, like the mantis, focusing only on the prey in front of him while neglecting the danger from behind. In the end, King Helü abandoned his plan to attack Chu.
Usage
多用于比喻人目光短浅，只看到眼前的利益，而忽略了潜在的危险。
Often used to describe people who are short-sighted, only seeing immediate benefits and overlooking potential dangers.
Examples
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这就好比螳螂捕蝉，黄雀在后，你以为占了便宜，其实早已有人在算计你了。
zhè jiù hǎobǐ tángláng bǔ chán, huáng què zài hòu, nǐ yǐwéi zhànle piányí, qíshí zǎoyǒu rén zài suànjì nǐ le. zuò rènhé shì dōu bùnéng zhǐ gù yǎnqián lìyì, yào kǎolǜ dào chángyuǎn, fǒuzé jiù huì xiàng tángláng bǔ chán, huáng què zài hòu yīyàng, zuìzhōng zhúlán dǎshuǐ yī chǎng kōng。
This is like a mantis catching a cicada, and an oriole is behind it. You think you've taken advantage, but someone has already been plotting against you.
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做任何事都不能只顾眼前利益，要考虑到长远，否则就会像螳螂捕蝉，黄雀在后一样，最终竹篮打水一场空。
Don't just focus on immediate benefits when doing anything, and consider the long-term effects. Otherwise, you will end up empty-handed like the mantis catching the cicada, and the oriole is behind it..