多行不義必自斃

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Chinese

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many; much; a lot of
many; much; a lot of; numerous; multi-
 
to go; to do; capable
to go; to do; capable; all right; competent; OK; to travel; temporary; to walk; will do; behaviour; conduct; a row; profession; professional
 
immoral; unjust
certainly; must; will
certainly; must; will; necessarily
 
to bring destruction upon oneself; to walk into destruction
trad. (多行不義必自斃) 不義 自斃
simp. (多行不义必自毙) 不义 自毙

Etymology

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From Zuo Zhuan. Duke Zhuang of Zheng had conferred a major city on his brother Gong Shu Duan (w:zh:共叔段) on the request of their mother. One of his officers were concerned that Gong Shu Duan could become a threat. He gave the following reply (《左傳·隱公元年》):

:「多行不義必自斃。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
:「多行不义必自毙。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Commentary of Zuo, c. 4th century BCE, translation from Zuozhuan: Commentary on the "Spring and Autumn Annals" (2017), by Stephen Durrant, Wai-yee Li and David Schaberg
Gōng yuē: “Duō xíng bùyì, bì zìbì, zǐ gū dài zhī.” [Pinyin]
The lord said, "If he repeatedly commits undutiful acts, he surely will bring himself down. For the time being, sir, just wait for this."

Pronunciation

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Proverb

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多行不義必自斃

  1. The wages of sin is death; He who is unjust is doomed to destruction.