Proverbs that start with 「B」
Easier said than done
It's easy to say, but difficult to put into action.
A chestnut burr splits open from the inside.
The chestnut covered with sharp burrs naturally bursts open when ripe, revealing its fruit. This suggests that women also become beautiful and alluring naturally as they come of age. It also implies that waiting for it to split open naturally is wise to avoid being pricked by the burrs.
You can't put a futon on a stone.
The teaching is that filial piety cannot be fulfilled after parents have died, so one should show filial devotion while they are alive.
Perseverance prevails even on a stone for three years.
Just as sitting on a cold stone for three years will eventually make it warm, enduring hardships and putting in effort will surely be rewarded.
Good at getting medical attention, bad at dealing with it.
No matter what a renowned doctor says, if the patient does not trust and follow them, the illness will not be cured. This illustrates that without trust in others, things will not go well.
The one-sided love of the abalone on the shore.
Abalone is a univalve mollusk, and it serves as a metaphor for unrequited love, where one person has feelings for another who does not reciprocate those feelings.
Painful needle on top
A metaphor for bad events piling up, as in stabbing a painful spot with another needle.
The return of the sun after the winter solstice.
In the Book of Changes, from the fifth month of the lunar calendar, the energy of "yin" begins to emerge while "yang" starts to diminish, peaking in October, and from November, "yang" begins to increase while "yin" starts to decrease. Therefore, it signifies the arrival of spring after winter has passed, and by extension, it is used to mean that after enduring a period of hardships, a bright future opens up.
Even the small insect has a soul worth five parts.
Everyone has their own pride and thoughts, so even the smallest and weakest should not be underestimated. This is a figure of speech used when expressing one's own pride or similar sentiments.
He who laughs at pennies will cry over pennies.
Those who take even a mere penny lightly and neglect money will eventually find themselves crying over that missing penny. This serves as a warning that even small amounts of money must be treated with care. It is also a reminder to encourage saving and frugality.
A frog in a well does not know the great sea.
It is a metaphor for someone who is unaware of the wider world and is content with their narrow knowledge and understanding. It often refers to a small-minded and naive person.
Current compassion becomes future resentment.
Help based on temporary emotions or easy sympathy can end up being counterproductive and may even cause harm later on.
Silence is golden.
Flowers are a symbol of good and beautiful things. It is better not to speak clearly as it adds depth and charm. This also implies that it is better not to say things straightforwardly because there might be complications.
Food and medicine come from the same source.
It is important to pay attention to your daily eating habits.
Even the walls help me at home.
There is no better place than my home.