多一事不如少一事

duō yí shì bùrú shǎo yí shì

proverb #90,243

Meanings

1 one extra matter is worse than one less; better to avoid trouble than invite it
2 the less hassle the better; don't borrow trouble

Characters

Examples

HSK 6

他抱着多一事不如少一事的态度，不愿出面。

Tā bào zhe duō yí shì bùrú shǎo yí shì de tàidù, bù yuàn chūmiàn.

He took a 'less hassle is better' attitude and refused to step in.

HSK 7-9

在职场上很多人信奉多一事不如少一事。

Zài zhíchǎng shàng hěnduō rén xìnfèng duō yí shì bùrú shǎo yí shì.

In the workplace many people live by the principle that the less you take on, the better.

Tips

history

From Liu E's Qing novel 《老残游记》 ch. 12, criticizing officials who, fearing reprimand, kept piling up neglected business under the motto 多一事不如少一事.

Often pejorative, describing timid, self-protective bureaucratic inertia. Can also be used neutrally about avoiding genuinely pointless trouble.

Stroke Order

多 duō

一 yī

事 shì

不 bù

如 rú

少 shǎo