Listen to this articleChinese version: Water can carry the boat and also overturn the boat.
shuǐ néng zài zhōu, yì néng fù zhōu
水能载舟，亦能覆舟
This proverb originated from a Q and A with Confucius.
Originally, it was a reminder that leaders were kept afloat by the populous that supported them. If they were dissatisfied, the same people could easily overthrow the leader.
In the same way, a double-edged sword reminds us that what brings us power can also bring us harm.
These days, both expressions are used more generally to point out how our tools can either help or harm, depending on how we use them.
For example, if your team at work is feeling great because your project is getting a lot of press, just keep in mind that media attention can go both ways.
(Of course, you can also remind the team that “all press is good press.”)
