more scheming, more trouble; to fare worse for all one's scheming
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
to fare worse and worse for all one's scheming; the more one schemes, the more one is defeated
formalOriginally from the Book of Documents (尚书·周官): '作德，心逸日休；作伪，心劳日拙。' Describes evil or deceitful schemes that backfire, causing the schemer's situation to worsen daily. Often carries a negative connotation.
Tā他
chù处
chù处
suàn算
jì计
bié别
rén人
，
jié结
guǒ果
xīn心
láo劳
rì日
zhuō拙
，
zhòng众
pàn叛
qīn亲
lí离
。
He schemed against others everywhere, and as a result, the more he schemed the worse he fared, ending up betrayed by all and deserted by friends and family.
Zhè这
zhǒng种
xīn心
láo劳
rì日
zhuō拙
de的
zuò做
fǎ法
，
zuì最
zhōng终
zhǐ只
huì会
hài害
le了
zì自
jǐ己
。
This kind of self-defeating approach will ultimately only harm oneself.
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Zuò作
wěi伪
xīn心
láo劳
rì日
zhuō拙
，
zuò作
dé德
xīn心
yì逸
rì日
xiū休
。
He who practices deceit will fare worse daily for all his toil, while he who practices virtue will daily enjoy peace of mind.