Shēnshǒu sānfēn lì; bù gěi yě gòuběn.

伸手三分利, 不給也夠本。

Lit [If one just] sticks out [one's] hand, [one will usually get] thirty percent profit; [but even if one is] not given anything, [at least one] loses nothing.

Fig As long as one at least takes action, one may get some benefit, whereas if one just sits idle, one will certainly get nothing at all. “Don't just sit there; do something!”

Note [See also xíngdòng yǒu sānfēn below.]

Topics ACTION BENEFITS BUSINESS IDLENESS INVESTMENT PROFIT