竭泽而渔

Pronunciation: jié zé ér yú Literal meaning: Drain the pond to catch fish

Origin & Usage

The idiom 竭泽而渔 (jié zé ér yú) originates from the classical text 《吕氏春秋》 (Lüshi Chunqiu) compiled by the Qin statesman Lü Buwei. The story describes a scenario where a person drains a pond (泽, zé) to catch fish (渔, yú), achieving immediate gain but leaving no fish for the future. This tale was recounted during the Spring and Autumn period when the state of Song faced a military threat from the state of Chu. A minister advised against using deceitful tactics for short-term victory, likening it to draining a pond for fish. The idiom serves as a caution against sacrificing long-term benefits for temporary advantages. In modern usage, it warns against unsustainable practices that prioritize immediate profit over future well-being.

Examples

English: "If we exploit resources without care, we risk depleting them entirely."

Chinese: 如果我们不加节制地开发资源，就会面临枯竭的风险。