shuǐ néng zài zhōu , yì néng fù zhōu
Traditional: 水能載舟，亦能覆舟
水能载舟，亦能覆舟 (shuǐ néng zài zhōu , yì néng fù zhōu) is a Chinese word meaning “lit. water may keep the boat afloat but may also sink it (proverb); fig. the people can support a regime or overturn it; if sth is used properly, one can benefit from it, otherwise it can do harm”.
Meanings
- 1lit. water may keep the boat afloat but may also sink it (proverb)
- 2fig. the people can support a regime or overturn it
- 3if sth is used properly, one can benefit from it, otherwise it can do harm
- 4things can be double-edged