<p>I think the original proverb is &quot;<a href="https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E5%B7%A5%E6%AC%B2%E5%96%84%E5%85%B6%E4%BA%8B%EF%BC%8C%E5%BF%85%E5%85%88%E5%88%A9%E5%85%B6%E5%99%A8" rel="nofollow noreferrer">工欲善其事 必先利其器</a>&quot;</p>
<blockquote>
<p>工 = 工匠 (craftsman)</p>
<p>欲善其事 (want to do his job well)</p>
<p>必先 (must first)</p>
<p>利其器 (make his tools sharp, meaning in good condition)</p>
</blockquote>
<p>This saying is using &quot;To do a good job, a craftsman must sharpen his tools&quot; as an analogy for &quot;To be successful, one must first prepare his tools (make preparation)&quot;.</p>
<p>&quot;Sharpen tools&quot; is a metaphor for &quot;make preparation&quot;.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-12-24T13:03:10.097Z
Hmm, possibly. Although I distinctly remember it having to do with the _knowledge_ of tools and materials, but I'll take your word for it (unless you can amend your answer, of course).
Zalán Meggyesi
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-12-24T13:54:49.223Z
@Zalán Meggyesi Different tools require different care. A craftsman need to know his tools to  make each of them in good condition. 利 doesn't only has the meaning of 'sharpen'  it also means 'make effective'
Tang Ho
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-12-24T14:53:27.613Z
That's a great clarification, thank you!
Zalán Meggyesi
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-12-23T23:56:40.763Z
2020-07-15T17:26:40.093Z
2020-07-15T17:26:40.093Z
Tang Ho
<p>I recall reading a supposed Chinese proverb that went along the lines of:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>&quot;Craftsman, know your tools!&quot;</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Now I'm trying to find the original Chinese saying, and if there was more to this, wanting to use it in mentoring.</p>
<p>Can any scholars here help me?</p>

<proverb>
What is the Chinese original version of the proverb "Craftsman, know your tools"?
# What is the Chinese original version of the proverb "Craftsman, know your tools"?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-12-23)

I recall reading a supposed Chinese proverb that went along the lines of:

> "Craftsman, know your tools!"

Now I'm trying to find the original Chinese saying, and if there was more to this, wanting to use it in mentoring.

Can any scholars here help me?

**Tags:** proverb


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2019-12-23. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

I think the original proverb is "[工欲善其事 必先利其器](https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E5%B7%A5%E6%AC%B2%E5%96%84%E5%85%B6%E4%BA%8B%EF%BC%8C%E5%BF%85%E5%85%88%E5%88%A9%E5%85%B6%E5%99%A8)"

> 工 = 工匠 (craftsman)
>
> 欲善其事 (want to do his job well)
>
> 必先 (must first)
>
> 利其器 (make his tools sharp, meaning in good condition)

This saying is using "To do a good job, a craftsman must sharpen his tools" as an analogy for "To be successful, one must first prepare his tools (make preparation)".

"Sharpen tools" is a metaphor for "make preparation".

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Hmm, possibly. Although I distinctly remember it having to do with the _knowledge_ of tools and materials, but I'll take your word for it (unless you can amend your answer, of course).  
> **username_1**: @username_0 Different tools require different care. A craftsman need to know his tools to  make each of them in good condition. 利 doesn't only has the meaning of 'sharpen'  it also means 'make effective'  
> **username_0**: That's a great clarification, thank you!  

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