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水能載舟，亦能覆舟

简水能载舟，亦能覆舟 · 繁水能載舟，亦能覆舟

Mandarin · pinyin shuǐ néng zài zhōu , yì néng fù zhōu

lit. water may keep the boat afloat but may also sink it (proverb)
fig. the people can support a regime or overturn it
if sth is used properly, one can benefit from it, otherwise it can do harm
things can be double-edged

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Characters in this entry

水: shuǐ · water, liquid, lotion, juice
能: néng · to be able; can, permitted to; ability
載: Look up this written character
舟: zhōu · boat, ship; Kangxi radical 137
亦: yì · also, too; likewise
覆: fù · cover; tip over; return; reply
载: zài · load; carry; transport, convey

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