Looking up...
To select the option that causes the least harm when faced with two equally bad choices.
面对两个糟糕的工作机会，他决定两害相权取其轻，选择了薪水稍低但离家近的那份。
Faced with two terrible job offers, he decided to choose the lesser of two evils and took the one with lower pay but closer to home.
政府在预算削减的情况下，必须两害相权取其轻，优先保障教育和医疗。
Facing budget cuts, the government had to choose the lesser of two evils and prioritize education and healthcare.
Often used in moral dilemmas, policy decisions, or personal choices where no option is ideal.
This idiom reflects Confucian values of moral pragmatism and responsibility in leadership. It's often cited in discussions about governance, ethics, and personal sacrifice.
Use this idiom when describing a situation where you must choose between two negative outcomes, emphasizing that you are making the least harmful choice possible.
Originates from the Confucian classic 'Book of Rites' (礼记), where it was used to describe ethical decision-making in governance. The phrase emphasizes moral pragmatism in governance.
Commonly used in formal contexts such as policy discussions, personal dilemmas, or historical analyses. Avoid using in casual conversations as it may sound overly formal.