ostensible obedience

play up strengths and avoid weaknesses

Out of sight, out of mind

practice what they preach

to be severe with oneself and lenient with others

be strict with oneself and lenient towards others

prolong one's life

bend the law for personal gain and engage in fraud

bend the law for the benefit of relatives or friends

step by step

in sequence;step by step;to make steady progress incrementally

timely assistance (lit. to send coal during snow)

to add hail to snow;one disaster on top of another;to make things worse in a bad situation

There is no royal road/shortcut to learning

sheer cliffs and precipitous rock faces

accumulate strength for a take-off

Necessity is the mother of invention

Modesty helps one go forward, whereas conceit makes one lag behind

A scholar does not step outside his gate, yet he knows the happenings under the sun

to become exhilarated;in high spirits;full of zest