- 不以规矩，不能成方圆 bùyǐguījubùnéngchéngfāngyuán without rules, nothing can be doneAn idiom from Mencius meaning that without standards or rules, nothing can be accomplished; emphasizes the necessity of following established guidelines.
- 没有规矩，不成方圆 méiyǒuguījubùchéngfāngyuán without rules nothing can be doneone must follow rules to achieve results; lit. without a compass and a square, one cannot make squares and circles
- 没有规矩，何以成方圆 méiyǒuguījuhéyǐchéngfāngyuán without rules, how can anything be donewithout rules, how can anything be achieved; one must follow established rules and standards to succeed
