pain one's loved ones while pleasing one's enemies
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
to cause pain to one's loved ones while pleasing one's enemies; to do things that harm one's own side while benefiting the enemy
formalUsed to criticize actions, decisions, or behaviors that are detrimental to one's own group, family, or country while bringing joy or advantage to opponents or enemies. Often used in political, military, or family contexts to warn against internal conflicts or unwise decisions.
Wǒ我
men们
bù不
néng能
zuò做
qīn亲
tòng痛
chóu仇
kuài快
de的
shì事
。
We cannot do things that harm our own side while benefiting our enemies.
Zhè这
zhǒng种
qīn亲
tòng痛
chóu仇
kuài快
de的
shì事
qing情
,
wàn万
wàn万
bù不
néng能
zuò做
。
This kind of self-defeating behavior that pleases our enemies must never be done.
Show 2 more examplesShow fewer examples
Tā他
zhè这
yàng样
zuò做
,
qǐ岂
bú不
shì是
qīn亲
tòng痛
chóu仇
kuài快
?
By doing this, isn't he causing pain to his loved ones while delighting his enemies?
Nèi内
dòu斗
zhǐ只
huì会
ràng让
qīn亲
zhě者
tòng痛
、
chóu仇
zhě者
kuài快
。
Internal strife will only pain our loved ones and please our enemies.