The structure is a beautifully simple “A, B” parallel: 自作 (self do) and 自受 (self receive/suffer). The actions one personally does are the direct cause of the consequences one personally suffers. The repetition of 自 emphasizes that the entire process, from cause to effect, is self-contained and self-inflicted.
The concept of 自作自受 is deeply ingrained in Chinese thought, reflecting a pragmatic view of personal accountability. While it resonates with Buddhist ideas of karma (因果报应, yīn guǒ bào yìng), it's important to distinguish it from the Western pop-culture understanding of “karma.” 自作自受 vs. Western “Karma”: Western pop culture often portrays “karma” as a mystical, cosmic force that doles out justice, sometimes in unrelated ways (e.g., “He cut me off in traffic, but karma will get him when his favorite TV show is canceled”). 自作自受, however, is much more direct, logical, and non-mystical. It's about immediate and observable cause and effect.
This is 自作自受. There is no cosmic force involved; it's a simple, predictable outcome of your own actions. This idiom highlights a cultural value of pragmatism and personal responsibility. It serves as both a warning against foolish behavior and a tool for social commentary, reinforcing the idea that individuals are the primary architects of their own fortunes and, more often, their own misfortunes.
自作自受 is a common idiom used in a wide range of situations, from casual conversation to formal news reports.