不以规矩,不能成方圆
bù yǐ guī ju , bù néng chéng fāng yuán
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1 without rules, nothing can be done (idiom, from Mencius); one must follow some rules
人不可貌相,海水不可斗量
rén bù kě mào xiàng , hǎi shuǐ bù kě dǒu liáng
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1 you can't judge a person by appearance, just as you can't measure the sea with a pint pot (idiom)
任贤使能
rèn xián shǐ néng
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1 to appoint the virtuous and use the able (idiom); appointment on the basis of ability and integrity
倘能如此
tǎng néng rú cǐ
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1 if it is possible (idiom)
力所能及
lì suǒ néng jí
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1 as far as one's capabilities extend (idiom); to the best of one's ability
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2 within one's powers
功德无量
gōng dé wú liàng
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1 no end of virtuous achievements (idiom); boundless beneficence
各尽所能
gè jìn suǒ néng
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1 each does his utmost (idiom)
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2 from each according to his means
名重识暗
míng zhòng shí àn
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1 of great reputation but shallow in knowledge (idiom)
妒能害贤
dù néng hài xián
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1 jealous of the able, envious of the clever (idiom)
妒贤忌能
dù xián jì néng
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1 to envy the virtuous and talented (idiom)
宽宏大量
kuān hóng dà liàng
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1 magnanimous (idiom); generous
德薄能鲜
dé bó néng xiǎn
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1 little virtue and meager abilities (idiom); I'm a humble person and not much use at anything (Song writer Ouyang Xiu 欧阳修)
爱莫能助
ài mò néng zhù
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1 unable to help however much one would like to (idiom); Although we sympathize, there is no way to help you.
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2 My hands are tied.
推贤让能
tuī xián ràng néng
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1 to cede to the virtuous and yield to the talented (idiom)
斤斤较量
jīn jīn jiào liàng
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1 to bicker at length over a trivial matter (idiom)
明人不做暗事
míng rén bù zuò àn shì
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1 The honest person does nothing underhand (idiom).
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2 fig. Do what you want to do openly and without dissimulation.
明修栈道,暗渡陈仓
míng xiū zhàn dào , àn dù Chén cāng
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1 lit. repair the plank road by day while secretly crossing the Wei River 渭河[Wèi Hé] at Chencang (idiom, refers to a stratagem used by Liu Bang 劉邦|刘邦[Liú Bāng] in 206 BC against Xiang Yu 項羽|项羽[Xiàng Yǔ] of Chu)
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2 fig. to feign one thing while doing another
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3 to cheat under cover of a diversion
明察暗访
míng chá àn fǎng
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1 open enquiries and secret search (idiom); to investigate openly and in secret
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2 taking information from all sides
明岗暗哨
míng gǎng àn shào
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1 both covert and undercover (officers) keeping watch (idiom)
明查暗访
míng chá àn fǎng
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1 open enquiries and secret search (idiom); to investigate openly and in secret
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2 taking information from all sides