“A stream cannot rise larger than its source.”

Simplified Meaning:

Imagine you have a small bottle of water. If you pour the water into a bigger bowl, it will take the shape of the bowl, but you will still have only as much water as was in the bottle. This idea means that something cannot grow or be greater than where it comes from. For example, a tree's branches can't grow wide if its roots are weak and don't get enough nutrients from the soil. It's like a student aiming to learn a lot—if their foundational education is poor, it’s difficult for them to achieve mastery in advanced subjects. This saying also suggests that our personal growth often depends on our roots, which might be our background, education, or experiences. To improve or grow more, we need to strengthen our base, like working on our skills, knowledge, and habits. For instance, an athlete needs solid training to become a champion; they can't reach high performance without a strong training regimen. It's a reminder to build a strong foundation to support bigger goals in life.