临渊羡鱼

Pronunciation: lín yuān xiàn yú Literal meaning: By the deep pool, longing for the fish

Origin & Usage

Standing over (临) the pool (渊) envying (羡) the fish (鱼) — better, the Huainanzi says, to go home and knit a net. The Book of Han repeats it as advice to an emperor about reform. Two things make the phrase sharper than a general injunction to act. The fish are real and reachable, so the wanting is not foolish; and the net is unglamorous, slow, and the entire content of the recommendation. It is aimed at people who have correctly identified what they want and are still standing at the water.

Examples

English: "He often admires the success of others but never takes action to pursue his own dreams."

Chinese: 他常常临渊羡鱼，却从不付诸行动。