Distant water can't put out a nearby fire, and a distant relative is not as helpful as a close neighbor. 

解释 ( paraphrase )
处在很远的水，扑灭不了身边的大火；居住很远的亲戚，不如住在附近的邻居。
这条谚语告诉我们：比较遥远的美好设想，往往解决不了眼前急待解决的问题；关系再密切的亲戚不如附近的邻居能随时互相帮助。

This proverb tells us that a lofty ideal often cannot solve an urgent problem, just as a close relative who lives far away is not as valuable as a neighbor an emergency.

同义词 ( synonym )
远水救不了近火

造句 ( example )
① 这种时候，远水不救近火，远亲不如近邻，还是看看街坊们有没有什么办法吧。
② 俗话说得好，远水救不了近火，你和他们关系再好，他们也不能现在千里迢迢的来帮你啊。