- 怀才不遇 huáicáibùyù to be an unrecognized talentto have talent but no opportunity; to possess ability but fail to meet with success or recognition due to bad luck or lack of a patron
- 才不胜任 cáibùshèngrèn incompetentlacking the talent or ability to handle a task or responsibility; one's capability being inadequate for the position
- 秀才不出门，全知天下事 xiùcaibùchūménquánzhītiānxiàshì a scholar knows the world's news without leaving homea scholar or learned person knows everything going on in the world without ever having to step outside
- 秀才不出门，能知天下事 xiùcaibùchūménnéngzhītiānxiàshì a scholar can know everything without travelinga person of learning can know everything happening in the world even without leaving home; it suggests that through books and study one can gain broad knowledge of the world