What does it mean?
海纳百川，有容乃大 (hǎi nà bǎi chuān, yǒu róng nǎi dà) is commonly translated “the ocean takes in all rivers; tolerance makes one great.” 海 is ocean, 纳 is to receive, 百川 refers to many rivers, 容 is capacity or tolerance, and 大 is greatness or breadth.
Where it comes from
The line is a widely quoted Chinese couplet or saying. It is often attributed to Lin Zexu, but attribution varies and the image has older roots. It is safer to present it as a traditional saying than to assert one uncontested author.
Use and design
The two clauses are usually kept together. A two-row composition with four characters per row can preserve the balance; a horizontal layout requires enough width. The phrase is about capacity and openness, not about collecting everything indiscriminately.
What it does not mean
It does not mean that a person should accept harmful behaviour or have no boundaries. It describes breadth of perspective and the ability to hold complexity.
Common mistakes
- Asserting a single author without noting the attribution problem.
- Using only 海纳百川 and treating it as the complete saying.
- Reading the line as advice to tolerate everything without limits.