妒贤嫉能 is a classical four-character idiom (chengyu) describing a deeply negative emotional and moral attitude: envying people of virtue (xián) and resenting those with talent or ability (néng). The first two characters—妒 (dù, 'to envy') and 贤 (xián, 'virtuous, worthy person')—form the first half, emphasizing resentment toward moral excellence. The second two—嫉 (jí, synonymous with 妒 but slightly stronger, often implying hostility) and 能 (néng, 'capable, talented person')—complete the pattern, highlighting animosity toward competence. Together, they paint a portrait of petty, insecure jealousy that targets both ethical integrity and practical skill.

This idiom is used almost exclusively in formal, literary, or critical contexts—such as historical narratives, political commentary, or moral essays—to condemn leaders or individuals who undermine worthy subordinates out of insecurity rather than merit. It carries strong disapproval and implies moral failure, not mere annoyance. While rare in casual speech, it appears frequently in written Chinese to evoke classical ethical standards and warn against destructive workplace or governance dynamics.