Bù dǎ, bù (chéng) xiāngshí.

不打, 不(成)相識。

Lit No fighting, no[t develop] acquaintance.

Fig From an exchange of blows, friendship grows. Sometimes friendship can grow out of confrontation.

Note [An allusion to the fellowship of the heroes of the novel Shuǐhǔ Zhuàn; cf. WM, chap. 38; Érnǚ Yīngxióng Zhuàn, chap. 10; also said bù dǎ, bù chéngjiāo; see also hǎohàn bù dǎ below.]

Topics CONFRONTATION Érnǚ Yīngxióng Zhuàn FRIENDSHIP Liang Mountain Shuǐhǔ Zhuàn WM