Had better / it would be best to (莫如/不若)

Structure （与其 + A，）莫如 / 不若 + B

莫如 (mòrú) and 不若 (bùruò) are the literary upgrades of 不如 (HSK 4) and 与其…不如… (HSK 4): "it would be best to…", "better to…". They weigh two options and prefer the second, but with a classical, essayistic flavour: 与其坐而论道，不若起而行之 = "rather than sit and theorize, better to rise and act". They mean the same as 不如, but 不若 and 莫如 belong to literary prose and maxims; everyday speech uses 不如. The recommended option (B) follows them.

Examples

与yǔ其qí坐zuò而ér论lùn道dào，不bù若ruò起qǐ而ér行xíng之zhī。
Rather than sit debating principles, better to rise and put them into practice.
求qiú人rén帮bāng忙máng，莫mò如rú自zì己jǐ动dòng手shǒu。
Rather than ask others for help, it is best to set to work oneself.
与yǔ其qí临lín渊yuān羡xiàn鱼yú，不bù若ruò退tuì而ér结jié网wǎng。
Rather than stand by the pool envying the fish, better withdraw and weave a net.
空kōng谈tán无wú益yì，莫mò如rú脚jiǎo踏tà实shí地dì。
Empty talk is of no use; far better to keep one's feet on the ground.

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