Chinese Idiom: 坐享其成 (Zuo Xiang Qi Cheng)
English Translation: Sitting and enjoying the fruits of others’ labor
pīn yīn: zuò xiáng qí chéng
Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to benefiting from the hard work of others without making any effort oneself
Historical Source: Records of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms (《东周列国志》).
Idiom Story:
During a certain year, Duke Wen of Wei sought to conquer the state of Zhongshan. However, in order to launch his attack, he needed to pass through the territory of Zhao. Duke Zhao of Zhao was hesitant to grant passage, fearing the potential consequences of allowing Wei’s military forces to cross.
At this juncture, a minister named Zhao Li advised the duke against outright refusal. He argued that if Wei were to engage in battle with Zhongshan and fail, it would deplete their military resources and weaken their state. Conversely, if Wei succeeded in conquering Zhongshan, they would likely want to retain the territory, which would leave Zhao in a precarious position since they were situated between the two states.
Zhao Li concluded that by permitting Wei to pass through, Zhao would be in a position to “sit back and enjoy the benefits” if Wei succeeded, as they would then be able to reap the rewards of the conflict without having to engage directly.
After considering this advice, Duke Zhao ultimately decided to grant Wei the necessary passage, illustrating the strategic advantage of benefiting from the actions of others while remaining uninvolved. This situation gave rise to the idiom “坐享其成,” highlighting the idea of gaining from the efforts of others.
