魚與熊掌不可兼得

Chinese edit

fish
 
and; to give; together with
and; to give; together with; take part in; (interrog. part.)
bear's paw cannot; should not; must not
 
double; twice; simultaneous
double; twice; simultaneous; holding two or more (official) posts at the same time
 
get; obtain; gain
get; obtain; gain; proper; suitable; proud; contented; allow; permit; ready; finished; a sentence particle used after a verb to show effect; degree or possibility; to have to; must; ought to; to need to
trad. (魚與熊掌不可兼得) 熊掌 不可
simp. (鱼与熊掌不可兼得) 熊掌 不可
Literally: “One cannot get fish and bear's paw at the same time.”

Etymology edit

From Mencius:

孟子:「熊掌不可熊掌不可。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
孟子:「熊掌不可熊掌不可。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Mencius, c. 4th century BCE
Mèngzǐ yuē: “Yú, wǒ suǒ yù yě; xióngzhǎng, yì wǒ suǒ yù yě, èr zhě bùkě dé jiān, shě yú ér qǔ xióngzhǎng zhě yě. Shēng, yì wǒ suǒ yù yě; yì, yì wǒ suǒ yù yě, èr zhě bùkě dé jiān, shě shēng ér qǔ yì zhě yě.” [Pinyin]
Mencius said, 'I like fish, and I also like bear's paws. If I cannot have the two together, I will let the fish go, and take the bear's paws. So, I like life, and I also like righteousness. If I cannot keep the two together, I will let life go, and choose righteousness.'

Pronunciation edit


Proverb edit

魚與熊掌不可兼得

  1. One can't have one's cake and eat it, too.