Zhàn xiǎopiányi, chī dà kuī.

占小便宜, 吃大虧。

Lit [If one seeks] petty benefits, [one may] suffer great losses.

Fig “Gain a penny (only to) lose a pound.”

Note [Note: during the Cultural Revolution Liu Shaoqi was criticized for recommending chī xiǎo kuī, zhàn dà piányi (“suffer a little to gain a lot”) as a strategy for joining the Chinese Communist party; see also chī xiǎo kuī and xiǎoqián bù qù above.]

Topics BENEFITS Cultural Revolution Liu Shaoqi LOSSES PETTINESS STRATEGY