不打不成器
bù dǎ bù chéng qì
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1 spare the rod and spoil the child (idiom)
大器晚成
dà qì wǎn chéng
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1 lit. it takes a long time to make a big pot (idiom); fig. a great talent matures slowly
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2 in the fullness of time a major figure will develop into a pillar of the state
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3 Rome wasn't built in a day
工欲善其事,必先利其器
gōng yù shàn qí shì , bì xiān lì qí qì
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1 To do a good job, an artisan needs the best tools (idiom). Good tools are prerequisite to the successful execution of a job
投鼠忌器
tóu shǔ jì qì
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1 lit. to refrain from shooting at the rat for fear of breaking the vases (idiom)
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2 to not act against an evil so as to prevent harm to innocents
欲善其事,必先利其器
yù shàn qí shì , bì xiān lì qí qì
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1 To do a good job, an artisan needs the best tools (idiom). Good tools are prerequisite to the successful execution of a job
为人师表
wéi rén shī biǎo
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1 to serve as a model for others (idiom)
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2 to be a worthy teacher
万世师表
wàn shì shī biǎo
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1 model teacher of every age (idiom)
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2 eternal paragon
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3 refers to Confucius (551-479 BC) 孔子[Kǒng zǐ]
薰莸不同器
xūn yóu bù tóng qì
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1 lit. fragrant herbs and foul herbs do not go into the same vessel (idiom)
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2 bad people and good people do not mix
藏器待时
cáng qì dài shí
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1 to conceal one's abilities and wait (idiom); to lie low and await the opportune moment
虚有其表
xū yǒu qí biǎo
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1 looks impressive but is worthless (idiom)
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2 not as good as it looks
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3 a reputation with no substance
表里不一
biǎo lǐ bù yī
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1 outside appearance and inner reality differ (idiom); not what it seems
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2 saying one thing but meaning sth different
表里如一
biǎo lǐ rú yī
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1 external appearance and inner thoughts coincide (idiom); to say what one means
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2 to think and act as one
金玉其表,败絮其中
jīn yù qí biǎo , bài xù qí zhōng
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1 gilded exterior, shabby and ruined on the inside (idiom)