When the water is clear, there is no fish

When the water is clear, there is no fish

When the water is clear, there is no fish. The water is too clear for fish to survive. Now it is sometimes used to show that you can't ask too much for people or things.

explain

Explanation: the water is too clear for fish to survive. Now it is sometimes used to show that you can't ask too much for people or things. later generations often use this to warn people and accuse people of not being too harsh and not being too strict in their opinions. Otherwise, people will be reluctant to deal with it because of fear, just like the water is too clear to keep fish.

allusion

Source: biography of Dongfang Shuo in Hanshu: "when the water is clear, there will be no fish, when people observe it, there will be no disciples." Chapter 35 of biography of Dongfang Shuo in Volume 65 of Hanshu written by Ban Gu! The book of songs says, "drum bells are in the palace, and sound is heard outside." "The crane crows in Jiugao, and the sound is heard in the sky." If you can cultivate yourself, why not be proud! Taigong's practice of benevolence and righteousness, two out of 70, was set up for literature and martial arts. He was granted the title of Qi at the age of 700. So this scholar breed day and night, quick and dare not lazy also. It is like a galloping, flying and singing. It is said: "heaven does not stop its winter because of man's evil and danger; earth does not stop its wide because of man's evil and danger; a gentleman does not change his behavior because of man's evil and danger." "The heaven has a constant degree, the earth has a constant shape, and a gentleman has a constant behavior. A gentleman's way is constant, and a villain's skill is calculated." The book of songs says, "if there is no fault in propriety and righteousness, how can we be compassionate?" Therefore, "when the water is clear, there will be no fish, and when people observe it, there will be no disciples. The crown is in front of the crown, so it covers the light; the crown is in front of the ear, so it stops the sound. " If you are wise, you will not see, if you are wise, you will not hear, if you hold great virtues and forgive minor faults, you will not be prepared for one person. If you are in vain and straight, you will get what you want; if you are superior and gentle, you will seek what you want; if you are in prime minister's position, you will get what you want. If the sages want to be satisfied with their education, they will be sensitive and broad "When the water is clear, there is no fish, and when people observe it, there is no apprentice." (Apprentice: like, accomplice) therefore, when the government comes to observe, the public will be obedient, which is the natural trend. The two sides of the contradiction are mutually transformed under certain conditions. The clear water is suitable for the survival of fish, but when the clear water reaches a certain level, it is not suitable for the growth of fish, so it turns to the opposite.

Discrimination of words

[synonym] fish in clear water [antonym] fish in troubled water [usage] as a clause; used to admonish people