利欲熏心

利慾薰心

lìyù-xūnxīn

idiom #42,402

Meanings

HSK 7-9

他利欲熏心，竟然出卖了自己的朋友。

Tā lìyù-xūnxīn, jìngrán chūmài le zìjǐ de péngyou.

Blinded by greed, he actually betrayed his own friends.

HSK 7-9

一些商人利欲熏心，不惜以次充好。

Yīxiē shāngrén lìyù-xūnxīn, bùxī yǐcì-chōnghǎo.

Some merchants are so consumed by greed they'll pass off inferior goods as quality ones.

history

From 黄庭坚's Song poem 《赠别李次翁》: 利欲熏心，随人翕张 - greed smokes the heart, swelling and shrinking with whoever's near.

利 lì

欲 yù

熏 xūn

心 xīn