Shífēn xīngxīng, shǐ jiǔfēn.

Lit [Of] all [your] wisdom and intelligence, use [only] ninety percent.

Fig Use your wisdom sparingly. Don't “put all your cards on the table.” Don't “show off” or “come on too strong” at first. Always hold back a bit, and leave yourself some room to maneuver later.

Note [Note the colloquial expression liú yīshǒu, “to hold back a trick or two”; see also shí gè chúzi below.]

Topics colloquial expression INTELLIGENCE liú yīshǒu SELF-RESTRAINT STRATEGY