工欲善其事，必先利其器 in English gong1 yu4 shan4 qi2 shi4 , bi4 xian1 li4 qi2 qi4 Meaning

Meanings

  • To do a good job, an artisan needs the best tools (idiomatic expression). Good tools are prerequisite to the successful execution of a job

Simplified Characters

工 欲 善 其 事 ， 必 先 利 其 器

Traditional Characters

工 欲 善 其 事 ， 必 先 利 其 器

Pinyin

gong1 yu4 shan4 qi2 shi4 , bi4 xian1 li4 qi2 qi4

Literal

Literal explanation, with pronunciation and meaning of each character.

工gong1work 欲yu4desire 善shan4good (virtuous) 其qi2his 事shi4matter ， 必bi4certainly 先xian1early 利li4surname Li 其qi2his 器qi4device