38．食【食饣】部 food
东east食eat西west宿sleep
Once upon a time, there was a beautiful young maiden of marriageable age. One day, a rich couple in the east side of town proposed that she marry their son. They said that although their son was quite plain, if she would marry him, she could enjoy endless wealth. The next day a poor couple from the west side of town proposed that she marry their son. They argued that their son was very generous and handsome. If she would marry their, she would enjoy endless marital happiness. The girl accepted both proposals and said that she would eat with the wealthy Eastside family and sleep with the poor Westside family. As a result, she was rejected by both young men.
This story tells us that there is nothing perfect in this world. If one is too greedy and tries to get everything, then he/she may end up with nothing.
【拼音】dōng shí xī sù
【解释】贪婪的人各方面的好处都要。比喻唯利是图，贪得无厌。
【出处】东汉·应劭《艺文类聚》：齐人有女，二人求见。东家子丑而富，西家子好而贫。父母疑不能决，问其女，定所欲适，难指斥言者，偏袒，令我知之。女便两袒。怪问其故。曰：“欲东家食，而西家宿。”此为两袒者也。
