師夷長技以制夷 shī yí cháng jì yǐ zhì yí

DEFINITIONS

  1. "learn from the foreigners in order to gain command of them", idea advocated by Wei Yuan 魏源[Wei4 Yuan2]

CHARACTERS

師 shī teacher, master, specialist; multitude, troops
夷 yí ancient barbarian tribes
長 cháng long; length; excel in; leader
技 jì
HSK 4
skill, ability, talent, ingenuity
以 yǐ
HSK 2
by means of; thereby, therefore; consider as; in order to
制 zhì
HSK 5
system; establish; overpower
夷 yí ancient barbarian tribes