量力而行 liàng lì ér xíng act according to one's capabilities

Explanation

量力而行，意思是根据自己的能力和条件去做事，不要勉强，不要好高骛远。这个成语强调做事要实事求是，不可盲目自信，要根据自身实际情况，制定合理的计划，避免因能力不足而导致失败。

“To act according to one’s capabilities” (to measure oneself by one’s strength) means that one should consider one’s own abilities and resources in one’s actions, so as not to overreach oneself and avoid failure. This proverb emphasizes the importance of realism and modesty in relation to one’s abilities. One should set realistic goals and focus on attainable tasks in order to achieve success.

Origin Story

战国时期，齐国有一位名叫田单的将军，他率领军队抗击强大的燕国军队。当时，齐国实力远不如燕国，军队人数也远远少于燕国。田单并没有因此而气馁，而是根据齐国的情况，制定了一系列的策略。他命令士兵在城墙上堆积大量的干草，然后在干草上洒满油，并用火把点燃。燕军看到城墙上熊熊烈火，以为齐军已经无力抵抗，于是便蜂拥而上，企图攻破城门。田单则带领士兵埋伏在城墙下，待燕军冲到城下时，突然从两侧杀出，将燕军杀得大败。田单的胜利，正是因为他在战争中量力而行，根据自己的实际情况，制定了合适的作战策略。

zhàn guó shí qī, qí guó yǒu yī wèi jìng míng tián dān de jiāng jūn, tā shuài lǐng jūn duì kàng jī qiáng dà de yàn guó jūn duì. dāng shí, qí guó shí lì yuǎn bù rú yàn guó, jūn duì rén shù yě yuǎn yuǎn shǎo yú yàn guó. tián dān bìng méi yǒu yīn cǐ ér qì něi, ér shì gēn jù qí guó de qíng kuàng, zhì dìng le yī xì liè de cè lüè. tā mìng lìng bīng shì zài chéng qiáng shàng duī jī dà liàng de gān cǎo, rán hòu zài gān cǎo shàng sǎ mǎn yóu, bìng yòng huǒ bǎ diǎn rán. yàn jūn kàn dào chéng qiáng shàng xióng xióng liè huǒ, yǐ wéi qí jūn yǐ jīng wú lì kàng zhí, yú shì biàn fēng yōng ér shàng, qǐ tú gōng pò chéng mén. tián dān zé dài lǐng bīng shì mái fú zài chéng qiáng xià, dài yàn jūn chōng dào chéng xià shí, túrán cóng liǎng cè shā chū, jiāng yàn jūn shā de dà bài. tián dān de shèng lì, zhèng shì yīn wéi tā zài zhàn zhēng zhōng liàng lì ér xíng, gēn jù zì jǐ de shí jì qíng kuàng, zhì dìng le hé shì de zuò zhàn cè lüè.

During the Warring States Period, there was a general named Tian Dan in the state of Qi, who led his army to fight against the powerful army of the state of Yan. At that time, Qi was far inferior to Yan in terms of strength and the number of troops. Tian Dan did not become discouraged by this, but instead developed a series of strategies based on the situation in Qi. He ordered his soldiers to pile up large quantities of dry grass on the city wall, then sprinkle it with oil and light it with torches. The Yan army saw the raging fire on the city wall and thought that Qi was no longer able to resist, so they swarmed in an attempt to break through the city gate. Tian Dan then led his soldiers to ambush under the city wall and, when the Yan army charged under the wall, suddenly emerged from both sides, killing the Yan army and routing them. Tian Dan's victory was due to his ability to act according to his own capabilities and develop a suitable battle strategy based on the specific situation in Qi.

Usage

量力而行这个成语常用在工作、学习、生活中，用来劝告人们做事要根据自己的能力和实际情况，不要好高骛远，要脚踏实地。比如，在学习的时候，不要盲目地追求难度很高的课程，应该根据自己的基础和兴趣来选择合适的课程。在工作的时候，也不要给自己设定过高的目标，应该根据自己的能力和岗位要求来设定合理的目标。在生活中，也不要盲目攀比，应该根据自己的经济状况来消费。

liàng lì ér xíng zhè ge chéng yǔ cháng yòng zài gōng zuò, xué xí, shēng huó zhōng, yòng lái quàn gào rén men zuò shì yào gēn jù zì jǐ de néng lì hé shí jì qíng kuàng, bù yào hǎo gāo wù yuǎn, yào jiǎo tà shí dì. bǐ rú, zài xué xí de shí hòu, bù yào máng mù dì zhuī qiú nán dù hěn gāo de kè chéng, yīng gāi gēn jù zì jǐ de jī chǔ hé xìng qù lái xuǎn zé hé shì de kè chéng. zài gōng zuò de shí hòu, yě bù yào gěi zì jǐ shè dìng guò gāo de mù biāo, yīng gāi gēn jù zì jǐ de néng lì hé gǎn wèi yāo qiú lái shè dìng hé lǐ de mù biāo. zài shēng huó zhōng, yě bù yào máng mù pān bǐ, yīng gāi gēn jù zì jǐ de jīng jì zhuàng kuàng lái xiāo fèi.

The expression “to act according to one’s capabilities” (to measure oneself by one’s strength) is often used in work, study, and daily life to encourage people to act according to their abilities and actual situation, not to overreach themselves and to remain realistic. For example, when studying, one should not blindly pursue courses that are too difficult, but should choose appropriate courses based on one’s own foundation and interests. At work, one should not set unrealistic goals for oneself, but should set reasonable goals based on one’s own abilities and job requirements. In daily life, one should not blindly compare oneself to others, but should consume according to one’s own economic situation.

Examples

• 在制定计划时，我们一定要量力而行，不能好高骛远。

  zài zhì dìng jì huà shí, wǒ men yī dìng yào liàng lì ér xíng, bù néng hǎo gāo wù yuǎn.

  When making plans, we must act within our means and not set our sights too high.

• 学习要量力而行，不要盲目攀比。

  xué xí yào liàng lì ér xíng, bù yào máng mù pān bǐ.

  Learning should be done according to one's ability, not blindly comparing oneself to others.

• 创业要量力而行，不能操之过急。

  chuàng yè yào liàng lì ér xíng, bù néng cāo zhī guò jí.

  Entrepreneurship should be done according to one's ability, not rushing into it.

Related Idioms

• 实事求是

• 量入为出

• 量体裁衣

• 量才录用

Opposite Idioms

• 力不从心

• 不自量力

• 好高骛远