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
因循守旧
yīn xún shǒu jiù
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1 (idiom) to continue in the same old rut
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2 diehard conservative attitudes
墨守成规
mò shǒu chéng guī
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1 hidebound by convention (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)
守口如瓶
shǒu kǒu rú píng
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1 lit. to guard one's mouth like a closed bottle (idiom); tight-lipped
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2 reticent
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3 not breathing a word
守土有责
shǒu tǔ yǒu zé
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1 duty to defend the country (idiom)
守望相助
shǒu wàng xiāng zhù
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1 to keep watch and defend one another (idiom, from Mencius); to join forces to defend against external aggressors
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2 mutual help and protection
守株待兔
shǒu zhū dài tù
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1 lit. to guard a tree-stump, waiting for rabbits (idiom)
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2 to wait idly for opportunities
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3 to trust to chance rather than show initiative
守株待兔,缘木求鱼
shǒu zhū dài tù , yuán mù qiú yú
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1 to guard a tree-stump, waiting for rabbits, and climb a tree to catch fish (idiom); without any practical course of action
安分守己
ān fèn shǒu jǐ
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1 to be content with one's lot (idiom)
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2 to know one's place
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.