📖 Meaning
A metaphor for helping others do good and thereby sharing in the glory and reward oneself. It suggests that participating in virtuous deeds benefits not only the recipient but also the helper. The idiom contrasts with assisting in wrongdoing, which brings harm instead.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the 'Yan's Family Instructions' (颜氏家训), written by Yan Zhitui of the Northern Qi dynasty. In the chapter 'On Minimizing Affairs' (省事), Yan quotes Prince Jin (王子晋) who said: 'Assist in good works and you will taste the reward; assist in a fight and you will be injured' (佐雍得尝，佐斗得伤). The passage advises participating in good deeds and withdrawing from evil ones, avoiding association with wrongful partisan activities. The saying encapsulates the wisdom that one's choice of associates and causes determines whether one shares honor or harm.
💡 Example Usage
他为社区公益事业尽心尽力，可谓佐雍得尝，不仅帮助了他人，自己也赢得了尊重。
He devoted himself to community welfare; as the saying goes, helping others do good brings shared glory — he not only helped others but also earned their respect.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 佐雍得尝
- Pinyin: zuǒ yōng dé cháng
- Literal Translation: assist, good, obtain, taste
- Category: Morality
- Characters: 4