# 从善如流

cóng shàn rú liú

Readily accept sound advice

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Follow what is good like flowing water

**Traditional Chinese:** 從善如流

**Register:** Appreciative · formal

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Praise openness to useful correction.

Does not mean accepting every suggestion uncritically.

## Understanding the expression

Flowing water moves readily along its course rather than resisting every turn. The expression compares that ease to a person accepting a better idea without clinging to pride. Modern use praises leaders, colleagues, or learners who respond constructively to sound advice. The advice must actually be good. Thoughtful evaluation remains necessary, so openness is different from following every loud opinion or changing direction whenever someone objects to a decision.

## Examples

她从善如流，修改了方案。

### Traditional Chinese

她從善如流，修改了方案。

tā cóng shàn rú liú ， xiū gǎi le fāng àn 。

She readily accepted good advice and revised the plan.

经理从善如流，采纳新人建议。

### Traditional Chinese

經理從善如流，採納新人建議。

jīng lǐ cóng shàn rú liú ， cǎi nà xīn rén jiàn yì 。

The manager accepted the newcomer's useful suggestion.

他从善如流，不怕承认错误。

### Traditional Chinese

他從善如流，不怕承認錯誤。

tā cóng shàn rú liú ， bú pà chéng rèn cuò wù 。

He accepts correction and is not afraid to admit mistakes.

团队从善如流，调整了时间表。

### Traditional Chinese

團隊從善如流，調整了時間表。

tuán duì cóng shàn rú liú ， tiáo zhěng le shí jiān biǎo 。

The team accepted sound advice and changed the schedule.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%BE%9E%E5%96%84%E5%A6%82%E6%B5%81)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=177&webMd=1&la=0)

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