識時務者為俊傑

shíshíwùzhěwéijùnjié ㄕˊ ㄕˊ ㄨˋ ㄓㄜˇ ㄨㄟˊ ㄐㄩㄣˋ ㄐㄧㄝˊ

    • a wise person adapts to changing circumstances

      idiom

Character by character

Saying俗语俗語

Proverb谚语諺語 · In everyday use

Literally
those who recognise the times are outstanding people
Meaning
A wise person sees which way things are going and adapts. Can be approving, or ironic when excusing bowing to power; compare 'discretion is the better part of valour'.

Sources