To climb a tree to catch a fish
To be unable to realize one's goals due to improper strategy
Negative
不多读书写作，要想成为作家，无异于缘木求鱼 | Bù duō dúshū xiězuò, yào xiǎng chéngwéi zuòjiā, wúyìyú yuánmùqiúyú
Trying to become a writer without frequently writing and reading is a fruitless effort
[Source]
要减肥就要多运动，只靠药物，无疑是缘木求鱼 | Yào jiǎnféi jiù yào duō yùndòng, zhǐ kào yàowù, wúyí shì yuánmùqiúyú
In order to lose weight you need to exercise. Just taking pills is a fruitless approach
[Source]
Fruitless effort/attempt
None
None
《孟子》(Mèng Zǐ), a classic Confucian work written by the philosopher of the same name. The work is often known in English as "The Book of Mencius."
During the Warring States Period (475 - 221 BC), 孟子 (Mèng Zǐ, Mencius) went to see the king of Qí Guó (齐国).
"Your Majesty," said 孟子. "What is your deepest desire?"
The king laughed, but he didn't respond, so 孟子 pushed.
"Are there not enough fine foods to eat?" he asked. "Do you not have enough clothes to wear? Or are your attendants not dependable? If it is this you desire, your ministers will easily be able to provide it to you. Is this what it is you desire?"
The king replied that that was not what he sought.
"Then you want to expand your territory and rule over the central plains," said 孟子. "But I'm afraid that how you're trying to realize this goal right now is like climbing a tree to catch a fish."
"Is it really that serious?" asked the king.
"It's even more serious than that. If you climb a tree to fish, you'll be unsuccessful, but there will be no long-lasting repercussions. But your current efforts will certainly have a disastrous effect on top of failing to help you reach your goal."
"Can you explain why?"
Mencius said, "Imagine if the other states of 楚国 (Chǔ Guó) and 邹国 (Zōu Guó) were to go to war. Who would win?"
"楚国, of course," said the king.
"So naturally, a small county can't go up against a large country, a sparsely populated country can't resist a populous one, and a weak country can't fight a strong one. The country of 齐国 is small — what would the difference be between 齐国 going against larger countries and 邹国 going up against other countries? I urge Your Majesty to think on this some more, and focus on making your country a place that scholars, businessmen, farmers, and all walks of life will be eager to come to. That way, no one would go up against you."