When combined, 利欲 (lìyù) means “desire for profit and personal gain.” The full phrase 利欲熏心 (lìyùxūnxīn) literally means “profit-desire fumigates the heart/mind,” perfectly illustrating how greed can corrupt a person from the inside out.
This idiom is deeply rooted in traditional Chinese philosophy, particularly Confucian and Buddhist thought, which often prioritizes righteousness (义, yì) and moral integrity over personal profit (利, lì). The famous Confucian saying, “君子喻于义，小人喻于利” (jūnzǐ yù yú yì, xiǎorén yù yú lì) — “The noble person understands righteousness; the petty person understands profit” — establishes this core cultural value. 利欲熏心 is therefore not just a description of greed, but a strong moral judgment. It implies that a person has abandoned the “noble” path for the “petty” one, letting their baser instincts take control. Comparison to a Western Concept: While English has phrases like “blinded by greed” or “selling one's soul,” 利欲熏心 has a more passive, insidious feeling. “Selling one's soul” suggests a conscious, one-time transaction. In contrast, the imagery of “熏” (xūn, to fumigate) suggests a gradual process of being permeated and overcome by greed, as if one is slowly being poisoned by toxic fumes until they lose all sense of right and wrong. It highlights the process of corruption rather than a single act of betrayal.
利欲熏心 is a formal and very negative term. It carries a heavy weight and is used to make a serious accusation or criticism.