shuǐ​zhì​qīng​zé​wú​yú

if the water is too clear, there will be no fish

Senses

水至清则无鱼/ 水至清則無魚 shuǐ​zhì​qīng​zé​wú​yú if the water is too clear, there will be no fish

If water is too clean, fish cannot survive; used as a metaphor to suggest that being overly strict or faultfinding will alienate others and leave one without followers or friends.

References

same_as 水至清则无鱼/水至清則無魚 水清无鱼/水清無魚
variant 水清无鱼/水清無魚 水至清则无鱼/水至清則無魚