English Dictionary

sell one's birthright for a mess of pottage

verb

To make an unfavorable exchange, especially of something of great, but deferred value for something of very low, but immediate value.

He sold his birthright for a mess of pottage.

意味（1）

To make an unfavorable exchange, especially of something of great, but deferred value for something of very low, but immediate value.

An elector, who by his vote should contribute to the establishment of a constitution having for its effect, instead of the greatest happiness of the greatest number, the greatest or supposed greatest happiness of the ruling few at the expense of the happiness of the many, would, supposing himself to become in consequence of the misrule, a sufferer to a greater amount than that of the benefit received by his vote, be an Esau selling his birthright for a mess of pottage.