面对河水羡慕着鱼to look on in envy but take no action; to stand by the river feeling envious of the fish

• 古人说：临河羡鱼，不如退而结网，你怎么理解？

  The ancients say "It is better to go home and make a net than stand by the river feeling envious of the fish." What do you understand by that?

• 看到别人的家庭工厂搞得这么红火，我们与其临河羡鱼，不如踏踏实实地自己也干一把。

  Having seen someone else's home factory do so well, let's get on and start one ourselves rather than look on in envy.