Sǐ gǒu fú bù shàng qiáng.

死狗扶不上牆。

Lit A dead dog can't be propped up [on top of] a wall.

Fig One cannot help a good-for-nothing person to rise above his station.

Note [Cf. DRC, chap. 68; see also the colloquial expression: fù bù qǐ de Ā Dǒu, “a worthless person beyond help,” referring to Liu Bei in R3K, who was supported by Zhuge Liang to no avail.]

Topics A Dou colloquial expression DRC HELP HELPLESS Liu Bei POSITION R3K suyu Zhuge_Liang