不以规矩，不能成方圆
bù​yǐ​guī​ju​bù​néng​chéng​fāng​yuán

without rules, nothing can be done

不以规矩，不能成方圆 不以規矩，不能成方圓 bù​yǐ​guī​ju​bù​néng​chéng​fāng​yuán
without rules, nothing can be done
An idiom from Mencius meaning that without standards or rules, nothing can be accomplished; emphasizes the necessity of following established guidelines.