多行不義必自斃

Chinese
 
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) 多 行 不義 必 自斃
simp. (多行不义必自毙) 多 行 不义 必 自毙

Etymology

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》):

公曰：「多行不義，必自斃，子姑待之。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
公曰：“多行不义，必自毙，子姑待之。” [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

Proverb

多行不義必自斃

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