水能載舟,亦能覆舟
See also: 水能载舟,亦能覆舟
Chinese
water; river | ability; can; may ability; can; may; capable; energy; able | also | ability; can; may ability; can; may; capable; energy; able | |||||
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trad. (水能載舟,亦能覆舟) | 水 | 能 | 載舟 | , | 亦 | 能 | 覆舟 | |
simp. (水能载舟,亦能覆舟) | 水 | 能 | 载舟 | , | 亦 | 能 | 覆舟 | |
alternative forms | 水可載舟,亦可覆舟/水可载舟,亦可覆舟 水則載舟,水則覆舟/水则载舟,水则覆舟 | |||||||
Literally: “The water that bears the boat is the same that swallows it.” |
Etymology
From the book Xunzi:
- 君者,舟也。庶人者,水也。水則載舟,水則覆舟。故君人者,欲安,則莫若平政愛民矣。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
- From: Xunzi, c. 3rd century BCE
- Jūn zhě, zhōu yě. Shùrén zhě, shuǐ yě. Shuǐ zé zǎi zhōu, shuǐ zé fù zhōu. Gù jūn rén zhě, yù ān, zé mò ruò píngzhèng àimín yǐ. [Pinyin]
- A ruler is like a boat and common people are like water. The boat can be carried by the water, but water can also overturn it. If a ruler wants to rule in peace, the best thing he can do is love his people.
君者,舟也。庶人者,水也。水则载舟,水则覆舟。故君人者,欲安,则莫若平政爱民矣。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
Pronunciation
Proverb
水能載舟,亦能覆舟
- If something is used correctly, it will be of benefit. If used incorrectly, it will do harm; X is a good servant but a bad master