不求有功，但求无过
bù qiú yǒu gōng , dàn qiú wú guò
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1 lit. not aiming to achieve the best possible result, but rather trying to avoid making mistakes (idiom)
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2 fig. to take a risk-averse approach
不求甚解
bù qiú shèn jiě
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1 lit. not requiring a detailed understanding (idiom); only looking for an overview
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2 not bothered with the details
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3 superficial
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4 content with shallow understanding
兵精粮足
bīng jīng liáng zú
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1 elite soldiers, ample provisions (idiom); well-prepared forces
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2 preparations for war are in an advanced state
刻舟求剑
kè zhōu qiú jiàn
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1 lit. a notch on the side of a boat to locate a sword dropped overboard (idiom); fig. an action made pointless by changed circumstances
千军易得，一将难求
qiān jūn yì dé , yī jiàng nán qiú
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1 Easy to raise an army of one thousand, but hard to find a good general. (idiom)
博而不精
bó ér bù jīng
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1 extensive but not refined (idiom); to know something about everything
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2 jack-of-all-trades, master of none
可遇不可求
kě yù bù kě qiú
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1 can be discovered but not sought (idiom)
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2 one can only come across such things serendipitously
吹毛求疵
chuī máo qiú cī
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1 lit. to blow apart the hairs upon a fur to discover any defect (idiom); fig. to be fastidious
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2 nitpick
梦寐以求
mèng mèi yǐ qiú
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1 to yearn for sth even in one's dreams (idiom)
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2 to long for sth day and night
大有裨益
dà yǒu bì yì
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1 bringing great benefits (idiom); very useful
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2 of great service
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3 to help greatly
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4 to serve one well
孜孜以求
zī zī yǐ qiú
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1 diligent and tireless (idiom)
守株待兔，缘木求鱼
shǒu zhū dài tù , yuán mù qiú yú
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1 to guard a tree-stump, waiting for rabbits, and climb a tree to catch fish (idiom); without any practical course of action
实事求是
shí shì qiú shì
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1 to seek truth from facts (idiom)
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2 to be practical and realistic
徒劳无益
tú láo wú yì
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1 futile endeavor (idiom)
急于求成
jí yú qiú chéng
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1 anxious for quick results (idiom); to demand instant success
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2 impatient for result
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3 impetuous
舍身求法
shě shēn qiú fǎ
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1 to abandon one's body in the search for Buddha's truth (idiom)
救焚益薪
jiù fén yì xīn
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1 add firewood to put out the flames (idiom); fig. ill-advised action that only makes the problem worse
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2 to add fuel to the fire
有害无益
yǒu hài wú yì
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1 harmful and without benefit (idiom); more harm than good
业精于勤
yè jīng yú qín
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1 mastery of study lies in diligence (idiom). You can only master a subject by assiduous study.
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2 Excellence in work is only possible with diligence.
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3 Practice makes perfect.
欲益反损
yù yì fǎn sǔn
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1 wishing for profit, but causing loss (idiom); good intentions that lead to disaster
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2 It all ends in tears.