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求仁得仁

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

Chinese

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to seek; to look for; to request
to seek; to look for; to request; to demand; to beseech
 
humane; kernel
get; obtain; gain
get; obtain; gain; proper; suitable; proud; contented; allow; permit; ready; finished; a sentence particle used after a verb to show effect; degree or possibility; to have to; must; ought to; to need to
 
humane; kernel
simp. and trad.
(求仁得仁)
Literally: “seek virtue and acquire it”.

Etymology

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From the Analects, Book 7 (《論語·述而》):

冉有:「夫子?」子貢:「。」:「伯夷、叔齊何人?」:「賢人。」:「?」:「求仁得仁?」:「夫子。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
冉有:「夫子?」子贡:「。」:「伯夷、叔齐何人?」:「贤人。」:「?」:「求仁得仁?」:「夫子。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Rǎn Yǒu yuē: “Fūzǐ wèi Wèi jūn hū?” Zǐgòng yuē: “Nuò. Wú jiāng wèn zhī.” Rù, yuē: “Bóyí, Shūqí hérén yě?” Yuē: “Gǔ zhī xiánrén yě.” Yuē: “Yuàn hū?” Yuē: “Qiú rén ér dé rén, yòu hé yuàn?” Chū, yuē: “Fūzǐ bù wèi yě.” [Pinyin]
Ran You said, "Is our Master for the ruler of Wei?" Zigong said, "Oh! I will ask him." He went in accordingly, and said, "What sort of men were Boyi and Shuqi?" "They were ancient worthies," said the Master. "Did they have any repinings because of their course?" The Master again replied, "They sought to act virtuously, and they did so; what was there for them to repine about?" On this, Zigong went out and said, "Our Master is not for him."

Pronunciation

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Idiom

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求仁得仁

  1. to have one's wish fulfilled

Usage notes

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This idiom is often used sarcastically nowadays.