水至清則無魚，人至察則無徒 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
HSK 1
water, liquid, lotion, juice
至 zhì
HSK 4
reach, arrive; extremely, very
清 qīng
HSK 3
clear, pure, clean; peaceful
則 zé rule, law, regulation; grades
無 wú negative, no, not; lack, have no
魚 yú fish; surname; KangXi radical 195
人 rén
HSK 1
man; people; mankind; someone else
至 zhì
HSK 4
reach, arrive; extremely, very
察 chá
HSK 4
examine, investigate; notice
則 zé rule, law, regulation; grades
無 wú negative, no, not; lack, have no
徒 tú
HSK 6
disciple, follower; go on foot