📖 Meaning
To resent and be jealous of people whose virtue and abilities surpass one's own. It describes a petty, insecure mindset that cannot tolerate others' excellence. The phrase is a variant of the more common idiom 妒贤嫉能.
📜 Origin Story
This phrase comes from the New Book of Tang (新唐书), specifically the biography of the notorious minister Li Linfu in the chapter on treacherous officials. Emperor Xuanzong once commented on Li Linfu, saying 'This man envies the worthy and resents the capable; no one can compare to him.' Li Linfu served as chief minister during the Tang dynasty and was infamous for eliminating talented rivals to protect his own power, thereby contributing to the dynasty's decline.
💡 Example Usage
他妒贤疾能，凡是能力超过自己的人都会被他排挤打压。
He resented the worthy and envied the capable, pushing aside and suppressing anyone whose abilities exceeded his own.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 妒贤疾能
- Pinyin: dù xián jí néng
- Literal Translation: envy, virtuous, resent, capable
- Category: Attitude
- Characters: 4