Shí gè chúzi, jiǔ gè dàn.

十個廚子, 九個淡。

Lit [Out of] ten cooks, nine [leave their dishes a little] bland.

Fig A good chef always holds back on the salt. Don't go all-out, don't stick your neck all the way out; always allow for unforeseen circumstances; leave room to maneuver.

Note [See also shífēn xīngxīng above.]

Topics COOKING SELF-RESTRAINT STRATEGY