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水能载舟
shuǐ​néng​zài​zhōu

water can carry a boat

Definitions Defs Origin Strokes Stroke Words Sentences Sents
  • 水能载舟,亦能覆舟 shuǐ​néng​zài​zhōu​yì​néng​fù​zhōu water can carry a boat or overturn it
    Proverb meaning that the people can support a ruler or overthrow him; also used more broadly to mean that anything can be a double-edged sword, providing benefit if used correctly but causing harm if used poorly managed.