Wú gōng, bù shòu lù.*

無功不受祿。

Lit [If one has] not [exerted any] effort, [one should] not receive a reward.

Fig [Traditionally said modestly when accepting a gift or honor, or as an excuse to decline:] “I have done nothing worthy of this honor.”

Note [See also jūnzǐ bù chī above and the following two entries.]

Topics EFFORT EXCUSES GIFTS HONORS MODESTY REWARDS