You cannot propel yourself forward by patting yourself on the back.
More Chinese Proverbs:
A good client doesn't change shop in three years, a good shop doesn't change clients in three years.Chinese
The court official in one life has seven rebirths as a beggar.
Chinese
The miser does not own the gold, it is the gold that owns the miser.
Chinese
While keeping a tiger from the front door, the wolf comes in at the back.
Chinese
People live like birds in the woods: When the time comes, each must take flight.
Chinese
A day of sorrow is longer than a month of joy.
Chinese