相反相成xiāng fǎn xiāng chéngbe opposite and complementary; things that oppose each other alsocomplement each other
❍ 怎样解释战争中提倡勇敢牺牲呢？岂非与“保存自己”相矛盾？不相矛盾，是～的。(《毛泽东选集》450) How do we justify the encouragement of heroic sacrifice in war?Does it not contradict “self-preservation”？ No,it does not; sacrifice and self preservation are both opposite and complementary to each other.药剂该是相反而相成的两色，“自己尊重”与“尊重人家”。(叶圣陶《倪焕之》91) The two antidotes would be opposite and complementary: “self-respect”and “respect for others.”/我们中国人常说： “～”。就是说相反的东西有同一性。这句话是辩证法的，是违反形而上学的。(《毛泽东选集》307) We Chinese often say，“Things that oppose each other also complement each other.” That is,things opposed to each other have identity. This saying is dialectical and contrary to metaphysics.
❍ 没有别人，即无以显出这一面之优，所谓“相反而实相成”者，就是这。(《鲁迅选集》 Ⅳ—130)Without a foil their virtues are not so apparent. This is what is meant by the “unity of opposites.” 相反相成be both opposite and complementary to each other; oppose and yet complement each other
“勇敢牺牲” 和 “保存自己”是～的。Heroic sacrifice and self-preservation are both opposite and complementary to each other. 相反相成xiānɡ fǎn xiānɡ chénɡ相成：相互促成。形容两种对立的事物一方面互相排斥，另一方面又互相促进。be both opposite and complementary to each other, things that oppose each other also complement each other |