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为法自弊
为法自弊
为法自弊
为法自弊
为法自弊
为法自弊
为法自弊
为法自弊

为法自弊 — “To create laws that harm oneself”

为法自弊 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to devise rules or policies that ultimately prove detrimental or harmful to oneself; to be hoist with one's own petard”. Literally, “to create laws that harm oneself”.

Frequency

为法自弊 Pronunciation and Pinyin

为法自弊 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order
CharacterPinyinStrokesMeaning
为
wéi4to be or to do
法
fǎ8law, method, France
自
zì6from, self, naturally
弊
bì14malpractice or disadvantage

Example Sentence with 为法自弊

那个公司制定了过于严格的规章制度,结果导致员工怨声载道,效率反而下降,真是为法自弊。
The company formulated overly strict regulations, which resulted in widespread employee discontent and a decrease in efficiency; it was truly a case of creating rules that harmed itself.

Origin and Story of 为法自弊

During the Warring States period, Duke Xiao of Qin appointed Shang Yang to implement a series of political and economic reforms in Qin. Prince Si, who would later become King Huiwen of Qin, violated the new laws and was punished by Shang Yang.

Qin gradually grew stronger and wealthier. Later, when Prince Si became King Huiwen, he harbored a grudge and sought to punish Shang Yang.

Shang Yang fled, but no one dared to offer him refuge because of the strict laws he himself had established. Ultimately, Shang Yang was killed by King Huiwen, a classic case of being hoist with his own petard, or creating laws that led to his own demise.

Idioms Related to 为法自弊

Synonyms of 为法自弊

  • zuò作fǎ法zì自bì毙hoist with one's own petard

Antonyms of 为法自弊

  • jià嫁huò祸yú于rén人shift blame onto others

More idioms starting with 为

  • wèi为cóng丛qū驱què雀alienate allies, benefit adversary
  • wèi为wǔ五dǒu斗mǐ米zhé折yāo腰Humble oneself for a meager salary
  • wéi为rén人wèi为chè彻help others thoroughly
  • wèi为rén人zuò作jià嫁to work hard for others' benefit in vain
  • wéi为rén人shī师biǎo表be an exemplary role model
  • wéi为rén人kǎi楷mó模be a role model
  • wèi为rén人shuō说xiàng项speak favorably for someone
  • wéi为rén仁bù不fù富Benevolent people are not wealthy
  • wéi为shàn善zuì最lè乐Doing good brings the greatest joy
  • wèi为guó国wèi为mín民for the country and its people
  • wèi为guó国juān捐qū躯die for one's country
  • wéi为hǎo好chéng成qiàn歉good intentions met with resentment

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Questions about 为法自弊

What does 为法自弊 mean?

为法自弊 (wéi fǎ zì bì) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to devise rules or policies that ultimately prove detrimental or harmful to oneself; to be hoist with one's own petard”.

How do you pronounce 为法自弊?

为法自弊 is pronounced wéi fǎ zì bì in Mandarin Chinese.

What does 为法自弊 literally mean?

Literally, 为法自弊 means “to create laws that harm oneself”. It is used to mean “to devise rules or policies that ultimately prove detrimental or harmful to oneself; to be hoist with one's own petard”.

Where does 为法自弊 come from?

为法自弊 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.

What is the Chinese definition of 为法自弊?

作定自弊。

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