How to translate the famous saying "欲成大器，必先退之"？ The famous saying "欲成大器， 必先退之" is first said by Han Yu's wife, which is the origin of his courtesy name. How to translate this sentense into English though? 

My first try is:

One should first learn self-effacement before he can achieve something great.
The idea here is the same as the set phrase: 以退為進, literally, "To advance by retreating." So a literal translation is "To become a great person, one must first learn to back down / be flexible / compromise / back off / retreat".

Personally, I'd suggest something like "True greatness comes after learning when to let go / compromise" which might be better flowing English.

See also the below:


  懼足下以吾退歸，因謂我不復能自強不息，故因書奉曉，冀足下知吾之退，未始不為進；而眾人之進，未始不為退也。
  
   - 唐·韓愈《答侯繼書》