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

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.

捐款请量力而行。

Juānkuǎn qǐng liànglì'érxíng.

Please donate according to your means.

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.

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