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

不

bù

no; not so

求

qiú

to seek

有

yǒu

to have; there is

功

gōng

meritorious deed or service

,

,

但

dàn

but; yet; however; still

求

qiú

to seek

无

wú

not to have

过

guò

to cross