Whilst reading the blog post above, I came across the expression “你知道你吃几碗干饭么”.

This expression refers to knowing one’s own limitations – to know the reach and limits of one’s abilities. Quite literally it means knowing how many bowls of dry rice one can eat!

Here are some other common Chinese expressions which share a similar meaning:

人贵有自知之明

To know oneself is true progress. Self-knowledge is wisdom.

没有金刚钻，别揽瓷器活儿。

If you don’t have a diamond cutter, don’t become a ceramist.

Basically all these expressions suggest that one must have a clear-headed understanding of oneself – without which it may become easy to take on a haughty air and cause trouble.