国语辞典水能载舟，亦能覆舟
（谚语）比喻事物使用得当则有利，不当则有害。唐．吴兢《贞观政要．卷一．政体》：「臣又闻古语云：『君，舟也；人，水也。水能载舟，亦能覆舟。』陛下以为可畏，诚如圣旨。」
英语 lit. water may keep the boat afloat but may also sink it (proverb), fig. the people can support a regime or overturn it, if sth is used properly, one can benefit from it, otherwise it can do harm, things can be double-edged
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