不求有功,但求无过

bù qiú yǒu gōng , dàn qiú wú guò

lit. not aiming to achieve the best possible result, but rather trying to avoid making mistakes (idiom)

fig. to take a risk-averse approach

no; not so

qiú

to seek

yǒu

to have; there is

gōng

meritorious deed or service

,

dàn

but; yet; however; still

qiú

to seek

not to have

guò

to cross