不以規矩，不能成方圓

without rules, nothing can be done (idiom, from Mencius); one must follow some rules

no; not so / (bound form) not; un-

old variant of 以[yi3]

old variant of 以[yi3]

abbr. for Israel 以色列[Yi3 se4 lie4]

to use / by means of / according to / in order to / because of / at (a certain date or place)

compass / a rule / regulation / to admonish / to plan / to scheme

lit. compass and set square / fig. established standard / rule / customs / practices / fig. upright and honest / well-behaved

variant of 矩[ju3]

carpenter's square / rule / regulation / pattern / to carve

cannot / must not / should not

surname Neng

can / to be able to / might possibly / ability / (physics) energy

surname Cheng

to succeed / to finish / to complete / to accomplish / to become / to turn into / to be all right / OK! / one tenth

surname Fang

square / power or involution (math.) / upright / honest / fair and square / direction / side / party (to a contract, dispute etc) / place / method / prescription (medicine) / just when / only or just / classifier for square things / abbr. for square or cubic meter

perimeter / range / (within) a radius of ...

circle / round / circular / spherical / (of the moon) full / unit of Chinese currency (yuan) / tactful / to make consistent and whole (the narrative of a dream or a lie)