| 不求有功，但求无过 |
bù qiú yǒu gōng , dàn qiú wú guò |
lit. not aiming to achieve the best possible result, but rather trying to avoid making mistakes (idiom) / fig. to take a risk-averse approach |
| 不 |
bù |
no; not so / (bound form) not; un- |
| 求 |
qiú |
to seek / to look for / to request / to demand / to beseech |
| 有 |
yǒu |
to have; there is / (bound form) having; with; -ful; -ed; -al (as in 有意 intentional) |
| 功 |
gōng |
meritorious deed or service / achievement / result / service / accomplishment / work (physics) |
| 但 |
dàn |
but; yet; however; still / merely; only; just |
| 求 |
qiú |
to seek / to look for / to request / to demand / to beseech |
| 无 |
mó |
used in 南无 |
| 无 |
wú |
not to have / no / none / not / to lack / un- / -less |
| 过 |
Guō |
surname Guo |
| 过 |
guò |
to cross / to go over / to pass (time) / to celebrate (a holiday) / to live / to get along / excessively / too- |
| 过 |
guo |
(experienced action marker) |