Tag Archives: wisdom

The impossible wisdom

Posted on June 1, 2022 by Confanity

…of, you know, not deliberately endangering people. 明哲保身mei.tetsu.ho.shin Literally: bright – clear / philosophy – preserve – person Alternately: The wise and rational person avoids danger and thus remains safe. Alternately (through a common misinterpretation of 保身), this phrase may … Continue reading →

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Better to be thought a fool

Posted on September 5, 2021 by Confanity

…than to be shot down. 怜悧なる頭には閉じたる口あり(Reiri naru atama ni wa tojitaru kuchi ari;“In the clever head, a closed mouth.”) Definition: A wise person doesn’t speak any more than necessary, and thus doesn’t say foolish, boring, or pointless things. “Silence at … Continue reading →

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A flaw for lions

Posted on September 1, 2019 by Confanity

自慢は知恵の行き止まり (Jiman wa chie no yukidomari; “Pride is the dead end of wisdom”) Definition: When pride has taken root, arrogance follows and prevents further advancement. A lack of proper humility and modesty blinds people to their own faults and weaknesses, … Continue reading →

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Someone who can see through the shell game

Posted on February 19, 2018 by Confanity

亀の甲より年の劫 (Kame no kou yori toshi no kou; “Better the wisdom of years than a tortoise-shell”) Definition: Pun time! Japanese is actually full of puns, and here’s one that made it into a kotowaza. The phrase itself means that one … Continue reading →

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Just the right number of cooks?

Posted on April 3, 2016 by Confanity

三人寄れば文殊の知恵 (Sannin yoreba Monju no chie; “If three people gather, the wisdom of Manjusri”) Definition: Two (or more!) heads are better than one. When ordinary people consider an issue together as a group, they can produce more great ideas than … Continue reading →

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