Mùjiang pà qījiang; qījiang pà guāngliàng.*

Lit [Just as the] carpenter fears the lacquerer [who can find defects in the work while lacquering it, so the] lacquerer fears bright light, [under which the defects of his own work will be exposed].

Fig There is always someone bigger or better (to be afraid of).

Note [Rhyme; see also yī wù xiáng yī wù below.]

Topics DEFECTS LIMITATIONS OVERCOMING rhyme