going too far is as bad as not going far enough; excess is as bad as deficiency
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Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
going too far is as bad as not going far enough; excess is as bad as deficiency
formalDerived from the Analects of Confucius (《论语·先进》). Used to advise moderation and balance, emphasizing that both excess and insufficiency are undesirable. Often employed as a warning against overdoing things.
Nǐ你
suī虽
rán然
shì是
wèi为
tā他
hǎo好
，
dàn但
shì是
pī批
píng评
yě也
yào要
zhù注
yì意
fēn分
cùn寸
，
guò过
yóu犹
bù不
jí及
ma嘛
。
Although you mean well for him, you must pay attention to proper measure when criticizing, as going too far is as bad as not going far enough.
Duàn锻
liàn炼
shì是
hǎo好
shì事
，
dàn但
guò过
yóu犹
bù不
jí及
，
guò过
dù度
yùn运
dòng动
fǎn反
ér而
shāng伤
shēn身
。
Exercise is a good thing, but excess is as bad as deficiency; excessive physical activity can actually harm the body.
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Ài爱
hái孩
zi子
kě可
yǐ以
，
dàn但
guò过
yóu犹
bù不
jí及
，
nì溺
ài爱
fǎn反
ér而
huì会
hài害
le了
hái孩
zi子
。
It's fine to love your children, but going too far is as bad as not going far enough; spoiling them with excessive love will actually harm them.