Tōuqu de quántou, dǎ bù sǐ běnrén.

偷去的拳頭, 打不死本人。

Lit [Martial arts] techniques stolen [from someone secretly] cannot be used to overcome the original person [from whom they were copied].

Fig One can never defeat one's teacher using techniques one has stolen from him.

Note [Cf. Lu Xun's short story: Bēn Yuè in the collection Gùshi Xīn Biān (“Old Tales Retold”).]

Topics Bēn Yuè Gùshi Xīn Biān Lu Xun MARTIAL ARTS Old Tales Retold SKILLS STRATEGY TEACHERS THEFT