临渊羡鱼

临渊羡鱼 [lín yuān xiàn yú]

1. ■ （比喻徒有愿望， 不去实干， 于事无补） stand on the edge of a pool and idly long for fish; irresoluteness; shilly-shally; stand on the brink of a pond in pleasurable contemplation of the fish to be caught there without taking action:

临渊羡鱼， 莫如退而结网。 It's better to go back and make a net than to stand by the pond and long for fish.; Better return home and make a net than long for fish by the waterside.; It's better to go back and make a net than to covet the fish by merely staring into the water -- one should have a down-to-earth style of work to attain one's goal.; One should take practical steps to achieve one's aims.