Bù shì chēng chuánshǒu, xiū lái nòng zhúgān.

不是撐船手, 休來弄竹竿。

Lit [If one is] not a boatman, [one] should not take hold of the barge-pole.

Fig One should not take upon oneself work that one doesn't know how to do.

Note [Usually said as a criticism; e.g., you don't know what you're doing; see also bù huì chēngchuán above and bù shàn shǐ chuán above.]

Topics COMPETENCE CRITICISM INCOMPETENCE