If a worker wants to do a good job, he must sharpen his tools first, which means:

If he wants to do a good job, he must sharpen his tools first. To do a good job, preparation is very important.

Li: as a verb.

implement: it means tool.

goodness: completion.

Original text:

Zi Gong asked for benevolence. Confucius said, "If a worker wants to do a good job, he must sharpen his tools first. Living in a country is also a sage who is a doctor and a benevolent who is a friend. " -Confucius (Spring and Autumn Period) The Analects of Confucius Wei Linggong

Vernacular translation:

A craftsman must sharpen his tools first if he wants to do his work well. It is very important to prepare tools to do a good job.

Extended information:

From The Analects of Confucius.

"If a worker wants to do a good job, he must sharpen his tools first." These are two famous sayings, which we often quote from the book The Analects of Confucius. Confucius told Zigong that a person who makes handicrafts or crafts should prepare tools first if he wants to finish the work and do it perfectly. So what tools are used for benevolence?

If you live in this country and want to contribute to it, you must make friends with the upper class, even the politicians and the backbone of the government. Make friends with all kinds of wise people in this country and society.

In other words, it is necessary to know the inside story of this country and have a good relationship before you can get the opportunity to contribute and accomplish the purpose of benevolence.

Reference: Baidu Encyclopedia-A worker must sharpen his tools if he wants to do a good job.