量力而行

liànglì'érxíng

idiom #53,030

Meanings

1 to act within one's capabilities
2 to do what one can; to know one's limits

Characters

strength; ability

Examples

HSK 4

他量力而行，没有接这个项目。

Tā liànglì'érxíng, méiyǒu jiē zhège xiàngmù.

Knowing his limits, he didn't take on this project.

HSK 6

捐款请量力而行。

Juānkuǎn qǐng liànglì'érxíng.

Please donate according to your means.

HSK 7-9

做事要量力而行，不能逞强。

Zuòshì yào liànglì'érxíng, bùnéng chěngqiáng.

Act within your capability - don't force yourself.

Tips

history

From 《左传·昭公十五年》: '力能则进，否则退，量力而行' - 'Advance when able, retreat when not; measure your strength and act accordingly.' A piece of Spring-and-Autumn-era pragmatism.

Stroke Order

量 liàng

力 lì

而 ér

行 xíng