毀舟為杕 / 毁舟为杕
huǐ zhōu wéi duò
"destroy boat make paddle"
The meaning of this is clear from the literal breakdown.
The source is: 《淮南子·說林》/《淮南子·说林》) / A Forest of Persuasions / Discussions, Huainanzi, 179–122 BC, [from googling] Quote a comprehensive, encyclopedic text, often termed a Daoist "inner book," that synthesizes Daoist, Confucianist, and Legalist thought to guide rulers. Unquote
Explanation (from googling)
(traditional character version) 將船隻拆解改製成船舵，比喻「毀大物為小物」，指人因主觀喜好或愚蠢短見，而做出浪費資源或本末倒置的決策。該成語源自《淮南子·說林》，常用於批評隨心所欲、缺乏整體規劃的行為。
(simplified character version) 将船只拆解改制成船舵，比喻“毁大物为小物”，指人因主观喜好或愚蠢短见，而做出浪费资源或本末倒置的决策。该成语源自《淮南子·说林》，常用于批评随心所欲、缺乏整体规划的行为。
(google translate) Quote Dismantling a ship and converting it into a rudder is a metaphor for "ruining something large for something small," referring to decisions made due to subjective preferences or foolish shortsightedness that waste resources or put the cart before the horse. This idiom originates from the *Huainanzi* and is often used to criticize impulsive and unplanned behavior. Unquote
This was exactly one of my father's harebrained moves, buying a sheet of steel that he'd seen at a timber yard which he felt was a wise purchase because "it will never rust" although he had no idea what to use it for at the time. For the details, read https://piccola-chinita.blogspot.com/2011/07/it-will-never-rust.html.
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