Gyeonmulsaengsim(見物生心) Seeing is wanting 4 Character idiom

Gyeonmulsaengsim

1. Gyeonmulsaengsim

Gyeonmulsaengsim is a four-character idiom that means “seeing an object makes one desire it.” It refers to the natural feeling that arises in a person when they encounter something desirable. The desire to possess something when seeing it is a natural emotion. However, humans also have the capacity for thought, and even though one may feel desire, it is important to recognize that if it is not one’s own, it is not truly theirs.



1.1. The Term can broken down down as follows

見 (견): to see, to look at
物 (물): thing, object, matter
生 (생): to arise, to be born, to grow
心 (심): heart, mind, feelings

So, Gyeonmulsaengsim(見物生心) can be translated as “When you see an object, desire arises in your heart,” referring to the natural feeling of wanting something upon seeing it.



1.2. Gyeonmulsaengsim Mean

Gyeonmulsaengsim is a cautionary phrase against excessive greed. It teaches that anything taken too far can be worse than lacking it altogether. The same applies to desire — when it becomes excessive, it can lead to unhappiness.

Initially, one may not have the thought of wanting something, but upon seeing something good, the desire to possess it can arise.




2. The origin of Gyeonmulsaengsim

The expression Gyeonmulsaengsim (見物生心) originates from ancient Chinese proverbs, and there is no specific record of its origin in a particular classic or text. It is a phrase that succinctly expresses a general truth about life related to human instinctive desires. This lesson about the dangers of greed often appears in philosophical texts such as Mencius and the Analects, where it is used in contexts warning against human greed.





3. Similar English Expression

Seeing is wanting.

The object gives rise to the desire.

Opportunity makes the thief.



4. Examples from movies

Gyeonmulsaengsim (見物生心) is a four-character idiom that expresses the natural human instinct of developing desire when encountering something good or desirable. This concept is well illustrated in the movies Five Stars and Avengers: Infinity War.

In Five Stars, the protagonist, who initially seeks material success, begins to envy the lives of others and gradually falls into a spiral of desire. Although he initially lives without major struggles, as he looks around, his longing for what others have grows, leading him to pursue these desires. This process exemplifies the essence of “Gyeonmulsaengsim.”

In Avengers: Infinity War, we also see the concept of Gyeonmulsaengsim. The characters desire to possess the Infinity Stones to gain power, but this desire ultimately leads to disastrous consequences. Specifically, Thanos seeks the Stones with the extreme purpose of wiping out half of humanity, and his overwhelming desire becomes the central conflict of the film.

Both of these films carry a message warning that while This is a natural human emotion, excessive greed can lead to harmful outcomes.




5. In everyday life the expression

The term “Gyeonmulsaengsim” is commonly used in everyday life when someone sees material things, another person’s success, or possessions and feels a sense of desire. For example, when a friend shows off their new car or owns high-end brand items, the expression “Gyeonmulsaengsim” can be used. It can also be applied when someone sees something they have never seen before, which makes them feel desire.


Examples:

◾ When a friend boasts about their new car: “Didn’t you feel ‘Gyeonmulsaengsim’ when you saw that car?”

◾ While looking at high-end brand items in a mall: “I really want this, it’s definitely ‘Gyeonmulsaengsim.'”

◾ When envying what others have: “He must have felt ‘Gyeonmulsaengsim’ when he saw that house, wanting a better one.”




This expression carries a meaning of caution against excessive desire, and it is used when one needs to become aware of or be careful about materialistic cravings.



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