过犹不及 going too far is as bad as not going far enough
Explanation
这个成语的意思是说，事情做过了头，就像做得不够一样，都是不好的。它强调做事要适度，要把握好尺度，不能过分，也不能不足。
This idiom means that doing something too much is just as bad as not doing it enough. It emphasizes the importance of moderation and finding the right balance.
Origin Story
春秋时期，孔子的学生子贡问孔子，他的两位同学子张和子夏谁更优秀。孔子说，子张过于严谨，常常超过法度的要求；子夏则过于宽松，常常达不到法度的要求。子贡又问，那子张是不是更好一些呢？孔子回答说：‘过犹不及’，做任何事情都要把握好尺度，过犹不及啊！
During the Spring and Autumn period, Confucius' student Zigong asked his teacher who was better among his two classmates Zi Zhang and Zi Xia. Confucius replied that Zi Zhang was overly strict and often exceeded the requirements of propriety, while Zi Xia was overly lenient and often failed to meet the requirements. Zigong then asked if Zi Zhang was therefore better. Confucius answered: 'Going too far is as bad as not going far enough.'
Usage
形容事情做得过头，和做得不够一样，都不好；比喻做事要适度。
To describe that doing something too much is as bad as not doing it enough; illustrates the importance of moderation in carrying out tasks.
Examples
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学习要张弛有度，过犹不及。
xuexi yao zhangchi youdu, guo you bu ji. zuo renhe shiqing dou yao bawo hao chidu, guo you bu ji
Learning needs to be balanced; too much is as bad as too little.
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做任何事情都要把握好尺度，过犹不及。
In everything, moderation is key; too much is as bad as too little.