The first statement:

"If you are envious of fish in the abyss, it is better to retreat and build a net." From ("Huainanzi·Shuo Lin Xun")

The second statement :

"If you are envious of fish in the Yuan, it is better to retreat and build a net." From ("Hanshu Biography of Dong Zhongshu")

If you are envious of fish in the Yuan, it is better to retreat and build a net: lín yuān xiàn yú, bú rú tuì ér jié wǎng?

It means that if you want to catch fish while standing by the water, it is better to go home and build a net.

It is a metaphor that only wishes without measures will do nothing good for things. Or it is a metaphor for hoping for something without putting your hope into action. The quote comes from "Huainanzi·Shuo Lin Xun". The original text says: "It is better to go home and weave a net if you are envious of fish when you are near the river." "Hanshu Biography of Dong Zhongshu" says in the book: "Therefore, since the Han Dynasty conquered the world, it has often wanted to rule. Those who have not been able to manage well so far have failed to change things when they should. "Huainanzi·Shuo Lin Xun"

2. It is better to retreat and build a net if you are envious of fish in the depths: lín yuān xiàn yú, bú rú tuì ér jié wǎng?

Principle:

①Between the purpose and the means, it is important to have a clear purpose, but if there are no necessary means to achieve this purpose, the purpose It will be illusory and unrealistic.

② Warn rulers that in order to govern the country well, they must grasp the fundamentals of concepts and systems.

Source: "Historical Records·Hanshu·Dong Zhongshu". "Biography", the book said: "Therefore, since the Han Dynasty conquered the world, it has always wanted to govern but has not been able to govern it well. This is because it should be reformed but not reformed.

Synonyms:

It is better to sink the cauldron than to sink the boat: wàng yáng xìng tàn, bú rú pò fǔ chén zhōu?

It is often used as a metaphor for incompetence or incompetence when doing things. When you have no conditions and feel helpless, it is better to give it a try.

"Huainanzi·Speaking of Lin Xun?"

Type of work: Military Book

Written by Liu An of the Western Han Dynasty, Liu An (179 BC-122 BC ), the grandson of Liu Bang, the emperor of the Han Dynasty, and the son of Liu Chang, King Li of Huainan.

"Historical Records·Hanshu·Biography of Dong Zhongshu"

Author: Sima Qian

"Historical Records" is the first biographical general history of China written by Sima Qian.

It records more than 3,000 years of history from the legendary Huangdi era to the Yuanshouyuan period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty