水至清则无鱼,人至察则无徒 shuǐ zhì qīng zé wú yú , rén zhì chá zé wú tú

DEFINITIONS

  1. water that is too clear has no fish, and one who is too severe has no friends (idiom)

CHARACTERS

水 shuǐ water, liquid, lotion, juice
至 zhì reach, arrive; extremely, very
清 qīng clear, pure, clean; peaceful
则 zé rule, law, regulation; grades
无 wú negative, no, not; KangXi radical 71
鱼 yú fish; surname; KangXi radical 195
人 rén man; people; mankind; someone else
至 zhì reach, arrive; extremely, very
察 chá examine, investigate; notice
则 zé rule, law, regulation; grades
无 wú negative, no, not; KangXi radical 71
徒 tú disciple, follower; go on foot