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

be tolerant, not too strict with others

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

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

Characters

Character Meaning
水 shuǐ HSK 1
water; liquid; beverage
至 zhì HSK 4
to; until; to arrive
清 qīng HSK 3
clear; distinct; pure
则 zé HSK 4
then; but; rule, standard
无 wú HSK 4
not; no; not to have
鱼 yú HSK 2
fish; surname Yu
人 rén HSK 1
person; people; man
至 zhì HSK 4
to; until; to arrive
察 chá HSK 4
to observe; to examine; to inspect
则 zé HSK 4
then; but; rule, standard
无 wú HSK 4
not; no; not to have
徒 tú HSK 6
on foot; only; disciple