Putting it all together, the literal structure is “Only profit is what (they) pursue.” This emphasizes the extreme, all-consuming nature of their greed.
The idiom 唯利是图 taps into a deep-seated tension in Chinese culture between righteousness (义, yì) and profit (利, lì). Confucian philosophy, which has shaped Chinese thought for millennia, traditionally places a high value on ethical conduct and social duty over personal gain. A famous saying from Confucius is, “君子喻于义，小人喻于利” (Jūnzǐ yù yú yì, xiǎorén yù yú lì), which means “The noble person understands righteousness; the petty person understands profit.” Therefore, to be called 唯利是图 is to be labeled a “petty person” (小人, xiǎorén) who has abandoned the nobler pursuits of a “gentleman” or “noble person” (君子, jūnzǐ). A useful Western comparison is the term “profit-driven.” In a business context, “profit-driven” can be a neutral or even positive descriptor, suggesting efficiency and success. However, 唯利是图 is always negative. It's closer in meaning to “mercenary,” “profiteering,” or “unscrupulously greedy.” While an American CEO might proudly state their company is “profit-driven,” a Chinese CEO would be deeply insulted if they were described as 唯利是图, as it's a direct attack on their character and moral integrity.
This term is formal and carries significant weight. You'll encounter it in more serious contexts.
The connotation is uniformly negative and highly critical. It's not a term you would use lightly in casual conversation unless you intend to make a very strong moral judgment.