择主而事
zé​zhǔ'ér​shì

choose a master to serve

  1. 择 擇 zé verbnoun
    to choose
    (bound form) to select; to choose; to pick out; used primarily in formal compound words like 选择 xuǎn​zé
  2. 主 zhǔ noun
    monarch
    monarch; ruler; sovereign
  3. 而 ér particleconjunction
    [adverbial linker]
    Connects an adverb-like description to the following verb to show the manner, cause, or basis of an action.
  4. 事 shì
    to serve
    (bound form) to wait upon; to serve parents or a ruler