國語辭典水能載舟，亦能覆舟
（諺語）比喻事物使用得當則有利，不當則有害。唐．吳兢《貞觀政要．卷一．政體》：「臣又聞古語云：『君，舟也；人，水也。水能載舟，亦能覆舟。』陛下以為可畏，誠如聖旨。」
英語 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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