人弃我取 — “To pick up what others discard”

人弃我取 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to pick up what others discard”. To find value or opportunity in things that others have overlooked or rejected, often leading to benefits by avoiding direct competition. Literally, “Others discard, I take”.

Frequency

人弃我取 Pronunciation and Pinyin

人弃我取 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
人	rén	2	human being, person
弃	qì	7	abandon, discard, give up
我	wǒ	7	I, me, myself
取	qǔ	8	to take, obtain, or choose

Example Sentence with 人弃我取

在艺术创作中，他总是人弃我取，把废弃的材料变成令人惊叹的雕塑。

In his artistic creations, he always takes what others discard, transforming discarded materials into astonishing sculptures.

Origin and Story of 人弃我取

During the Warring States period, Marquis Wen of Wei appointed Li Kui as his prime minister. Li Kui implemented vigorous reforms to strengthen the state.

Inspired by the merchant Bai Gui's business principle, particularly the idea of 'picking up what others discard,' Li Kui developed the 'Ping Di' (平籴) method for his economic reforms.

This policy involved the state buying grain when it was abundant and cheap (when others would discard or undervalue it) and selling it when it was scarce and expensive.

This innovative approach protected farmers' interests and stabilized agricultural production, enabling the state to regulate the economy effectively and making the State of Wei rich and powerful.