People with fundamentally different values, goals, or principles cannot work together effectively. It is better to part ways than to force a collaboration that will inevitably fail.
This saying comes from Confucius's Analects and is deeply rooted in Chinese philosophical thought. It emphasizes the importance of shared values in any partnership.
Chinese people use this saying to justify ending unproductive relationships or collaborations without hard feelings. It signals that incompatibility is not a personal failure but a natural consequence of differing principles.
Draw random cards from hundreds of real Chinese folk sayings and proverbs. Each flip reveals what Chinese people actually mean.
🎴 Play Chinese Wisdom Cards