Lǔ Bān wú mù, nán zuò wū.

魯班無木, 難做屋。

Lit [Even] Lu Ban [the master carpenter] without wood would be hard put to build a house.

Fig It is difficult to accomplish anything without adequate materials or conditions. It is difficult or impossible to “make bricks without straw.”

Note [Note: the chengyu: Bān mén nòng fú, (lit) “to flourish an axe in front of the gate of Lu Ban, the master carpenter”; (fig) “to display one's inferior skill before an expert.”]

Topics ADEQUACY Bān mén nòng fú chengyu CONDITIONS SUCCESS