不求有功，但求无过

Traditional form:

不求有功，但求無過

Pinyin (reading):

bùqiúyǒugōng,dànqiúwúguò

Definitions:

• lit. not aiming to achieve the best possible result, but rather trying to avoid making mistakes (idiom)
• fig. to take a risk-averse approach

Characters:

• 不 - no, not, un-; negative prefix
• 求 - to seek; to request, to demand; to beseech, to beg for
• 有 - to have, to own, to possess; to exist
• 功 - achievement, good work; merit; service
• 但 - only; but, however, yet, still
• 求 - to seek; to request, to demand; to beseech, to beg for
• 无 - no, not; lacking, -less
• 过 - pass; to go across, to pass through

Traditional characters:

• 不 - no, not, un-; negative prefix
• 求 - to seek; to request, to demand; to beseech, to beg for
• 有 - to have, to own, to possess; to exist
• 功 - achievement, good work; merit; service
• 但 - only; but, however, yet, still
• 求 - to seek; to request, to demand; to beseech, to beg for
• 無 - no, not; lacking, -less
• 過 - pass; to go across, to pass through