不能成方圆

不能成方圓

bùnéngchéngfāngyuán

phrase

Meanings

1 cannot form a proper square or circle
2 fig. nothing orderly or proper can be achieved (without rules)
3 no structure, no result

Characters

Examples

没有规矩不能成方圆，公司必须有制度。

Méiyǒu guīju bù néng chéng fāngyuán, gōngsī bìxū yǒu zhìdù.

Without rules nothing can be properly formed — a company must have a system.

教育孩子也是如此，没有纪律不能成方圆。

Jiàoyù háizi yě shì rúcǐ, méiyǒu jìlǜ bù néng chéng fāngyuán.

Raising children is the same — without discipline, nothing proper takes shape.

Tips

history

From 《孟子·离娄上》: 不以规矩，不能成方圆 — 'Without the compass and square, one cannot form a circle or square.' 规 is the compass, 矩 is the carpenter's square — the tools that gave Chinese its very word for 'rule' (规矩). Mencius was arguing that moral rulers need the rites as their tools.

usage

Practically always cited with the leading clause 没有规矩 / 不以规矩. One of the most-quoted sentences in management, parenting, and political speeches to justify rules and institutions.

Stroke Order

不 bù

能 néng

成 chéng

方 fāng

圆 yuán