National Proverbs

*
तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय
SANTINIKETAN
VISWA BHARATI
LIBRARY
391.8
N

No text on this page.

NATIONAL PROVERBS JAPAN

Uniform with this Volume
ENGLAND
IRELAND
SCOTLAND
RUSSIA
CHINA
HOLLAND
DENMARK
ARABIA
TURKEY
FRANCE (in Two Languages)
SPAIN
do.
GERMANY do.
ITALY
do.
Others in Preparation.

NATIONAL
PROVERBS
JAPAN
ndi
London:
Frank Palmer, Red Lion Court

CHE HE Proverbs of a Nation are not only an epitome of its wisdom, but crystallise for us much of its national temperament and popular habits of thought. Nowhere, perhaps, can what are regarded as the national traits be so compactly presented as in these saws and proverbs. In the preparation of the present series the utmost cure has been taken to unearth those sayings which are in danger of falling into disuse, and are not widely known. The commonplace Proverbs have, in most cases, been rejected ; little-known sources have been investigated, and everything possible done to give, in each case, the cream of the available material. The Editors will be very grateful to hear of any good but little-known Proverbs which readers may be able to add to the present collections.

No text on this page.

National Proverbs
RAFTY
eyes
were never modelled on the
face of virtue.
Virtue carries a lean purse.
If a post is smeared with the
mud of the river-bed, it's little
use its head aspiring to the
heavens.
7

National Proverbs
He who hunts two hares, leaves
one and loses the other.
The echo answers the voice.
The mile is long to him who is
tired.
If there are two fires in one room,
both will smoke.
The second word makes the fray:
8

Japan
Though you lock the door ever
so securely trouble will find a
way in.
Even in a village of eight there's
generally a patriot to be found.
In the house where the samisen
is played all day long there will
be little rice in the larder.
It's no use cutting a stick when
the fight is over.
9

National Proverbs
A bad daughter-in-law is worse
than a thousand devils.
When the wild geese fly South
and the first reed dies put on
another garment.
All colours are the same to
blind man.
The love-lorn maiden under the
plum tree forgets that the kettle
is simmering on the hibachi.
1ο

Japan
The
way
of the slothful is a hedge
of thorns.
When all men praised the peacock
for his beautiful tail, the birds
cried out with one consent “ Look
at his legs! and what a voice !”
It is difficult to be strong and
not be rash.
If every day was a sunny day who
would not wish for rain.
II

National Proverbs one When the first reed dies knows that Autumn's at the door. It's generally the wickedest man who knows the nearest path to the shrine. Valiancy and boastfulness never buckle on the same sword. Avoid three things--a snake, a smooth-tongued man, and a wanton woman. I 2

Japan
If a man steals gold' he's put in
prison; if he steals a land he's
made king.
A perfect vase never came from a
bad potter's wheel.
Make your plans for the year at
the beginning; correct your wife
from the first day.
Never follow on the heels of a
sorrow or it may turn back.
13

National Proverbs
A lie has no legs, but scandalous
wings.
Doing nothing is doing ill.
Game is cheaper in the market,
but sweeter in the field.
A bow long bent waxeth weak.
Daylight will peep through a very
small hole.
14

Japan
Never trust a woman even if she
has borne you seven children.
The stone may hurt the dog but
not as much as the hand that
threw it.
The acolyte at the gate reads
scriptures he has never learnt.
Love does
not recognise the
difference between peasant and
mikado.
15

National Proverbs
There is more delight in hope
than in enjoyment.
He who makes the edge of a
sword visible, must destroy its
keenness.
The laden almond tree by the
wayside is sure to be bitter.
Going downhill no one is old.
He who is in haste fishes in an
empty pool.
16

Japan
mars
One meal without rice
domestic happiness for a week.
Physic for healing, soup
for
nourishment, and sake for happy
living.
The man who makes the first bad
move always loses the game.
Better mend old garments as a
poor man's wife than put on rich
ones as a geisha.
B
17

National Proverbs Even the lords of hell bow the knee to the fat purse. Everything must wait its turnpeach-blossoms for the second month and chrysanthemums for the ninth. A cold hibachi has no glow, nor a hungry man wit. Skilful workmen need not travel afar to earn their bread. 18

Japan
A knowiedge of the sacred books
is the beginning of sorrow.
The sparrow Aying in the rear of
the hawk thinks the hawk is
fleeing.
The little snake studies the ways
of the big serpent.
One dog yelping at nothing will
set ten thousand straining at their
collars.
19

National Proverbs
If a few sen do not go, many sen
will not come.
At ten years a wonder-child ; at
fifteen a talented youth; at twenty
a common man.
Happiness rarely keeps company
with an empty stomach.
Getting money is like digging with
a needle ; spending it like water
soaking into sand.
20

Japan Even the street-dog knows the heuse of a poor man, Those discontented with their fate will accuse even the sun of partiality. To forgive the unrepentant is like making pictures on water. When a poor man visits his relations they do not hurry to kiss his feet. 21

National Proverbs
Better
go
without medicine than
call in a clumsy physician.
Don't look on the gold pieces you
won ; rather consider those you
might have lost.
Whoever can see three days ahead
will be rich three thousand years.
Following Happiness is like
chasing the wind, or clutching
the shadow.
22

Japan
Even Fuji is without beauty to
one who is hungry and cold.
Brothers quarrel like thieves inside
a house, but outside their swords
leap out in each other's defence.
A man with a sour face should
not open a shop.
Make sure of a thrifty wife, even
if
you have to wear your shoes
out looking for her.
23

National Proverbs
One doesn't take a butcher's knife
to carve the rib of a fowl.
of a
What's an inch in the
eye
man is a foot in the eye of his
master.
It is foolish to fight the wall after
the thieves are gone.
The character of a man depends
on whether he has good or bad
friends.
24

Japan
If two men quarrel, even their
dogs will have a difference.
If a workman sleeps away goes
if
a tiger sleeps off
goes
its hide.
his job ;
Even the Mikado's household
knows when salt and rice are dear.
The life of man is like a long
journey with a heavy load on the
back.
25
2
5

National Proverbs
It is foolish to try and graft a
bamboo shoot on a cherry tree.
If the hen crows instead of the
cock there won't be peace in the
fowlyard.
Better
go
without rice for a little
than be in debt for long.
Those who travel on horseback
know nothing of the toil of those
who travel on foot.
26

Japan
If you pray to a Buddha, pray to
one only.
The path of duty lies in what is
near at hand ; and men seek for
it in what is remote.
The eyes of a hireling are attracted
by money, as a fly's by blood.
The man who has once been
bitten by a snake fears every
piece of rope.
27

National Proverbs
Deceive, but don't insult, the rich
and powerful
Who is bred on a river dies in the
river.
A mended lid to a cracked pot.
The heaviest rains fall on the
leaky house.
A wise man in a fool's service is
a clear pearl thrown into lacquer.
28

Japan
Among flowers the cherry-blossom,
among men the Samurai.
A man's good name is as precious
to him as its skin is to a tiger.
A cheap purchase is money lost.
Where there isn't any water one
can't sail ships.
The wind and the cherry-blossom
can never be good friends.
29

National Proverbs
Who can
speak well can also lie
well.
If a man is poor and humble even
his own wife and children will
despise him ; if he is rich and
powerful even the folk of far-off
countries will heap praises on him.
Good physic always tastes bitter.
One doesn't expect to find grass
growing in a market-place.
30

Japan
A long life or a happy life lies in
the lap of the gods.
To overcome evil is worth three
pieces of gold; to have none in
the heart is worth five.
It's easier to rule a kingdom than
regulate a family.
Let a man so act by day that he
may lie happily on his mat by
night.
31

National Proverbs
Wise people do
not contend
against the tongues of fools.
A man who always wears his best
kimono has no Sunday clothes.
Unpolished pearls never shine.
A sorrow is an itching place that
is made worse by scratching.
The spell of gold can put wit into
a fool's mouth.
32

Japan If a man is hungry anything tastes good. When the oil is exhausted the lamp dies out. Every man carries a parasite somewhere. There's no tree that bears gold fruit. He who wants little seldom goes wrong. 33

National Proverbs
He who falls in love has come to
the end of happiness.
The butterfly, tempted by the
Aower, gets lured into the spider's
web.
The best crops are always on the
fields of others.
The reputation of a thousand
ycars may be determined by the
conduct of one hour.
34

Japan
Though tears fall they do not
help to pay the debt.
It is better to be the beak of a
hen than the tail of an ox.
Not to know is to be a Buddha.
Excessive tenderness is followed
by a hundredfold dislike.
Even with washing charcoal does
not become white.
35

National Proverbs
Quarrelsome people
roof to roof,
always live
Two swords cannot be contained
in one scabbard.
To the ant a few drops of rain is
a flood.
Spilt water cannot be gathered up
again.
Better the dumplings than the
apple blossom.
36

Japan
In the hum of the market there
is money, but under the cherry
tree there is rest.
When a
rat
crosses the street
everyone cries : “Hit him.”
:
At cleaning-time everyone should
yield to the woman with the
broom.
He who sits in, and he who pulls
the rickshaw are alike men.
37

National Proverbs
Under a powerful general there
are no feeble soldiers.
There's no
ease for the whole
mouth when one tooth is aching.
Better breeding than birth.
When drinking sakè remember
the poverty of your family.
If one man praises you a thousand
will repeat the praise.
38

Japan A road of a thousand miles begins with one step: The fallen blossom does not return to the branch. Kindness is more binding than a loan. A fog cannot be dispelled by a fan. There's no medicine for lovesickness and a fool. 39 National Proverbs Give a costly sword to the warrior; paint and powder to the beautiful woman. When puss mourns for the mouse do not take her seriously. There's no door for the buying that will shut out the world of men. straw- Even the Emperor has sandalled relations. 40 Japan Fall seven times, stand up the eighth time. In the widow's house there is no fat mouse. Many captains, and the ship goes to the rocks. Pinch yourself and know how others feel. Too much courtesy becomes discourtesy. 41

National Proverbs
The bravest of men may be
harassed by the want of one sen.
Destroy all passions when you
light Buddha's lamp.
Even the heart has its boundaries.
The bosoms of the wise are the
tombs of secrets.
The tongue of woman is her sword,
which never rusts.
42

Japan
A satiated mouth soon forgets
the benefactor.
Think about the misfortunes of
others, that you may
be satisfied
with your own lot.
A good rat will not eat the grain
near its own hole.
Cold tea and cold rice are bearable;
but cold looks and cold words are
unendurable.
43

National Proverbs
The heron's a saint when there
are no fish about.
The bird that offers itself to the
net is fair game to the fowler.
A lean dog shames his master.
Learning without wisdom is a load
of books on an ass's back.
A young wife should be but a
shadow and an echo in her house.
44

Japan Cast no dirt into the well that gives you water. Where profit is, loss is hidden near by. Even the street-dog has his lucky days. Even in hell one finds companionship. A woman's thoughts are afterthoughts. 45 National Proverbs While there's fire in one's cookingstove guests will never cease to arrive. If a man be great even his dog will wear a proud look. If you wish to learn the highest truth you must begin with the alphabet. The biggest of serpents has no terrors for the eagle.

Japan
Even the hawk and the street-dog
have their friends.
One written word is worth a
thousand pieces of gold.
Any soil will do to bury in.
One good word can warm three
winter months.
In plenty think of want; in want
do not presume on plenty.
47

National Proverbs
A good drum does not require
hard striking.
while
the wind
is
Winnow
blowing.
The cleverest of lies only lasts a
week.
Lend money to a city, but never
to a man.
It's the little wheels of a waggon
that
go
first.
48

Japan Those whose care extends not far ahead will find their troubles near at hand. You can't put two sho of sakė into a one-sho bottle. Buy land that slopes toward the centre and marry a girl whose mother is good. Two things never pall–a moonlight night and well-cooked rice. D 49

National Proverbs
When the great serpent travels
crane-flies keep out of its track.
If
you must be a dog it's best to
be the dog of a samurai.
A beaten soldier fears a reed.
A man learns little from victory
-much from defeat.
Look the other way when the girl
at the tea-house smiles.
in

Japan
The eye is harder to please than
the stomach.
A thing tied too tight often' unties
itself.
Where there are fish there must
be water.
The barber never curls his own
hair.
A handful of rice is wealth to a
starving man.
51

National Proverbs
From poverty to profusion is a
hard journey, but the way back
is easy.
When you're thirsty it's too late
to think about digging a well.
One can stand still in a Aowing
stream, but not in the world of
men.
Success is the foundation-stone
on which happiness is built.
52

Japan
Put a small fish on the hook to
catch a large one.
To the eye of a crow its young
one has milk-white feathers.
Talk will never cook rice.
The rich man's fowls never know
the want of grain.
When the wild geese fly they have
the sense to follow their leader.
53

National Proverbs There are gods in everythingeven in hell. When families quarrel outsiders deride. It's the poor who give alms to the poor. What is quickly learnt is soon forgotten. Only for love one goes to Kanda and back. 54

Japan
When man takes fire into his
bosom he provokes
his
calamity.
Own
He who never suffers persecution
will never become a Buddha,
A woman's tongue is only three
inches long, but it can kill a man
six feet high.
The pebble in the brook secretly
thinks itself a precious stone.
55

National Proverbs
It's no use giving gold coins to
a cat.
A man's teeth often bite his own
tongue.
One cannot learn to swiin in a
field.
No standing in the world without
stooping.
When you're in need of help
don't ask the devil for aid.
56

Japan The fiercest serpent may be overcome by a swarm of ants. A bridled tongue is a guarantee of a care-free heart. Applause is the beginning of abuse. Its the tortoise that discounts the value of a pair of fast legs. One good deed is better than three days of fasting at a shrine. 57

National Proverbs
When fortune comes to a house
the devil accompanies it to the
door.
A determined will will drive
through a granite rock.
Be civil to a mother-in-law and
she will come to your
house three
times a day.
You can't expect blossom from a
dead cherry tree.
58

Japan
Hate a priest and you will hate
his very hood.
When folly passes by, reason
draws back.
There's always a bee to sting a
weeping face.
tactics
cause
grave
Amateur
wounds.
Where there's a beginning there's
an end.
59

National Proverbs
Never ask your guest
your guest whether
you
shall kill
your
chicken,
start
When the wild
gecse
the
mud-flies also prepare
for flight.
A borrowed cat catches no micc.
Even a dead cherry tree can bring
picturesqueness to a barren hill.
Laughter cannot bring back what
anger has driven away.
60

Japan
Even if you put a snake in a
bamboo tube you cannot change
its wriggling disposition.
Better to wash an old kimono
than borrow a new one.
The drunkard knows not the
shame of wine-nor the abstinent
its glow.
Keep a sharp edge on your sword
and your honour.
61

National Proverbs
No purse so fat' as to buy back a
lost appetite.
Whoever touches a stricken snake
feels its fangs.
One can see the heavens through
a needle's eye.
A man's heart and the autumn
sky are alike fickle,
to
the
Every highroad leads
Mikado's palace.
62

Japan
A man's own breast is the best
wallet to carry his troubles in.
Better do one act quickly than
talk about a hundred for a day.
All married women are not wives.
Like ginger and cinnamon men
become more pungent with age.
Even a mountain can be worn
away by the tread of many feet.
63

National Proverbs
There's no tree in the forest that
bears cooked rice,
If
you
have to kill a snake, kill
it once and for all.
Lepers are always envious of
those with sores.
A friend at hand is better than
relatives at a distance.
It only takes a little twig to
poke out the eye.
64

Japan Even the mightiest wind can stir up no waves in the underground well. The hole the crab digs takes on the shape of its shell. The only child who really resembles his parent is a son of the devil. Even the frog's croak in the well is music to its mate. E 65

National Proverbs
Women and workmen are difficult
things to handle.
Metal is tested by fire; men by
wine.
One word of thanks reaches up to
Heaven.
When
you
aim at the rat beware
of the vase.
Any place is good enough to bury
a dead rat in.
66

Japan
a
Who travels for love finds
thousand miles only one mile.
Better to be proficient in one art
than an amateur in a hundred.
What one does, one becomes.
.
Even the clumsy swordsmith
sometimes makes a good sword.
He who can use his tongue can
find out any road.
67

National Proverbs
At the first cup'ma
man drinks wine,
at the second wine drinks wine,
at the third wine drinks man,
It's the biggest cherry-tree that
attracts the wind.
He who gives away coals when it
is snowing is a noble man-or a :
fool.
The great man is he who does
not lose his child's love.
68

Japan
The bird ríying in the air does
not fear the water.
It's the physician that breaks the
rules of health.
One can't lap up
the ocean with
a shell.
To the rat a thief is the same as a
samurai.
When there isn't any needle,
thread is not of much use.
69

National Proverbs
Even the peaças grown in the
shade will ripen in the end.
The umbrella-maker's apprentice
will turn the world upside down
in trying to mend one umbrella.
What has been the fashion once
will come into fashion again.
Even the young crow has the
grace to return part of its food to
its parent.
70

Japan
After a víctory ewe should bind
the helm-band tight as.
To hear a hundred times is not
so good as to see once.
Ten men, ten minds.
A pig used to dirt turns up its
nose at rice boiled in milk.
A truthful wanton is as great a
miracle as a square egg.
71

National Proverbs
The string of a man's sack of
patience is generally tied with a
slip-knot.
Don't condemn till you've heard
both sides of the case.
what passes
One
cannot tell
tell what
through the heart of a man by
the look on his face.
Troubles follow the restless like
flies in the fifth month.
72

Japan
At the foot of a lighthouse one
finds darkness.
A small-minded man looks at the
sky through a reed.
Be a serpent save in the poison.
It's always the lazybones who
wants to work on a holiday.
When the sweat has dried the
labour's forgotten.
73

National Proverbs
Even the wildeste horse's have to
take the bit at fast.
The empire or the ash-box will
grow dirtier the more that’s poured
into them-gold or ashes.
Don't prophesy to the man who
can see farther than you can.
Even if
your
mouth is parched
don't drink water from a robber's
well.
74

Japan
The frog'who is never seen the
sea thinks the weli a fine stretch
of water.
A poor man is short of wit, a lean
horse long of hair.
There are some gods who abandon
men; they are those gods who
know men.
There's always a floating piece of
wood to help a blind tortoise.
75

National Proverbs
A man knows how to spend a
million yen in' marrying off his
daughter, but does not know how
to spend a hundred thousand in
bringing up his child.
When you buy a vase cheap look
for the flaw, and when a man
offers favours search for his
purpose.
76

Leaders and their Policies “What I harnd, I have saic"' Series. 1. JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN means As the title of this series indicates, the books attempt to give a condensed summary of the political creeds of differrent statesmen, and by of carefully. selected extracts froin public speeches, their attitude to great public questions is defined. Probably no volume on modern politics contains as many surprises as these for the political student, who will find the volumes invaluable for providing him with ammunition for debate. Those who have neither time nor inclination to study all the speeches and writings of statesmen will find in these carefully - compiled books a simple but fascinating resumé of modern political creeds. IN PREPARATION. 2. ASQUITH 3. LLOYD GEORGE 4. REDMOND 5. A. J. BALFOUR ó. LORD ROSEBERY 7. GLADSTONE 8. LORD BEACONSFIELD 9. PARNELL Fcap. 8vo. with coloured Illustrations. Cloth. NET. 1/6 EACH OF ALL BOOKSELLERS or from the Publisher: Frank Palmer, Red Lion Court, London Vellum Perpetual Calendars Containing a quotation from my day in the year from the Works the Authors named Daintily printed in two colours, with Simili Vellum Binding Mllustrated. 1)- net each. By post 111 also in Limp Velvet Leather 3/6 net. 41 These elegant little books are beautifully printed and bound." VANITY FAIR. I G.B.S. (G. Bernard Shaw) 16 MONTAIGNE 2 OSCAR WILDE 17 THOREAU 3 H. G. WELLS 18 FRANCIS BACON 4 ARNOLD BENNETT 19 ROBERT BURNS 5 NAPOLEON 20 MARIE CORELLI 6 ANATOLE FRANCE 21 WILLIAM BLAKE 7 J. M BARRIE 22 ROBT. BLATCHFORD 8 HILAIRE BELLOC 23 WALTER PATER 9 Sir ARTHUR PINERO 24 KAISER WILLIAM 10 GEORGE MOORE 25 BISMARCK 11 HENRY ARTHUR JONES 26 FIELDING 12 EDEN PHILLPOTTS 27 ROBERT BROWNING 13 NIETZSCHE 28 OLIVER WENDELL 14 IBSEN HOLMES 15 CHARLES DICKENS 29 LORD BEACONSFIELD 30 CARLYLE Can be obtained at all Booksellers, or from the Publisher Frank Palmer :: :: Red Lion Court, London

National Proverbs
This series is also issued in Leather
Bindings, Limp Morocco finish, with
inlaid Coat of Arms, Gilt Edges,
in box, each 2/6 net.
FRANK PALMER, Publisher, Red Lion Court,
London, E.C.

Mr. FRANK PALMER will be
pleased to send on application a
copy of his illustrated catologue
of books, post free
12-14 Red Lion Court, London
Ferrestone Press, Ltd., West Norwood, S.E, and Red Lion Court, E.C.

No text on this page.

Front matter

National Proverbs