物极必反 (wù jí bì fǎn) — things will reverse when they reach an extreme; extremes breed reversals
Definition
Classical four-character idiom: once a situation reaches its extreme, it naturally flips to the opposite. Often used as a warning that excess leads to reversal.
idiom
things will reverse when they reach an extremeextremes breed reversals
Examples
- ，物极必反。Rèn hé shì qing dōu yào shì kě ér zhǐ, wù jí bì fǎn jiù shì zhè ge dào lǐ.Everything should be done in moderation — 'things reverse when forced to extremes' is exactly that principle.
- ，物极必反，。Tā tài jí yú qiú chéng le, jié guǒ wù jí bì fǎn, fǎn ér bǎ shì qing gǎo zá le.He was too impatient for success; as a result, extremes bred reversals, and he ended up messing things up.
- 物极必反，。Gǔ shì zhǎng dé tài kuài wǎng wǎng yì wèi zhe wù jí bì fǎn, tóu zī zhě yào xiǎo xīn.When the stock market rises too fast, it often means things will reverse — investors need to be careful.
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