Korean Proverbs & World Proverbs 72

Korean Proverb : You May Know Ten Depths of Water but Not One Depth of a Person’s Heart

Korean Proverb Series 62You May Know Ten Depths of Water but Not One Depth of a Person’s Heart“열 길 물속은 알아도 한 길 사람 속은 모른다”(Yeol gil mul-sogeun arado han gil saram sogeun moreunda)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “열 길 물속은 알아도 한 길 사람 속은 모른다” literally means“You can know the depth of ten rivers, but not the depth of one person’s heart.”It reflects the profound truth that human emo..

Korean Proverb : Even a Cow, Stepping Backward, Can Catch a Mouse

Korean Proverb Series 61Even a Cow, Stepping Backward, Can Catch a Mouse“소 뒷걸음에 쥐 잡는다”(So dwitgeoreume jwi japneunda)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “소 뒷걸음에 쥐 잡는다” literally means“Even a cow, while stepping backward, can catch a mouse.”It refers to achieving success by pure accident or luck rather than skill or effort.In other words, sometimes people get things right by coinc..

Korean Proverb : Small Peppers Are Spicy

Korean Proverb Series 60Small Peppers Are Spicy“작은 고추가 맵다”(Jageun gochuga maepda)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “작은 고추가 맵다” literally means“Small peppers are the spiciest.”It expresses that even someone small or seemingly insignificantcan possess great power, talent, or influence.Size or appearance does not determine strength —sometimes the strongest impact comes from the sm..

Korean Proverb : The Upper Water Must Be Clear for the Lower to Be Clean

Korean Proverb Series 59The Upper Water Must Be Clear for the Lower to Be Clean“윗물이 맑아야 아랫물이 맑다”(Witmul-i malgaya aret-mul-i malgda)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “윗물이 맑아야 아랫물이 맑다” literally means“The water below can only be clean if the water above is clear.”It teaches that leaders, parents, or elders set the examplefor those who follow them.If those in higher positions act..

Korean Proverb : Too Much Patience Can Make You Sick

Korean Proverb Series 58Too Much Patience Can Make You Sick“참다 참다 병 된다”(Chamda chamda byeong doenda)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “참다 참다 병 된다” literally means“Enduring too much can make you ill.”It teaches that excessive patience or emotional suppressioncan eventually harm your body and mind.While patience is a virtue, bottling up emotions for too longmay lead to anger, res..

Korean Proverb : Stretch Your Legs According to Your Bed

Korean Proverb Series 57Stretch Your Legs According to Your Bed“누울 자리를 보고 다리를 뻗어라”(Nuul jarireul bogo darireul ppeodeora)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “누울 자리를 보고 다리를 뻗어라” literally means“Stretch your legs after seeing where you will lie.”It teaches the wisdom of acting within one’s means and circumstances.In other words — before taking action, understand your situation.Thos..

Korean Proverb : A Needle Thief Becomes a Cow Thief

Korean Proverb Series 56A Needle Thief Becomes a Cow Thief“바늘 도둑이 소 도둑 된다”(Baneul dodugi so doduk doenda)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “바늘 도둑이 소 도둑 된다” literally means“A thief who steals a needle will later steal a cow.”It warns that small wrongdoings, when ignored or excused,can grow into serious crimes or moral decay.A habit of dishonesty, even in trivial matters,eventual..

Korean Proverb : You Don’t Notice Your Clothes Getting Wet in a Drizzle

Korean Proverb Series 55You Don’t Notice Your Clothes Getting Wet in a Drizzle“가랑비에 옷 젖는 줄 모른다”(Garangbi-e ot jeotneun jul moreunda)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “가랑비에 옷 젖는 줄 모른다” literally means“You don’t realize your clothes are getting wet in a drizzle.”It describes how small things — good or bad — accumulate slowly,often without our awareness, until the result becomes c..

Korean Proverb : Give a Peck and Receive a Bushel

Korean Proverb Series 54Give a Peck and Receive a Bushel“되로 주고 말로 받는다”(Doero jugo mallo batneunda)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “되로 주고 말로 받는다” literally means“Give by the peck and receive by the bushel.”It means that what you do — whether good or bad —returns to you in greater measure.A small deed, word, or intention can multiply in effect,bringing back consequences far bey..

Korean Proverb : The Crayfish Sides with the Crab

Korean Proverb Series 53The Crayfish Sides with the Crab“가재는 게 편이다”(Gajaneun ge pyeonida)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “가재는 게 편이다” literally means“The crayfish sides with the crab.”It humorously describes how people tend to side with those who are similar to them —in background, interest, or perspective — regardless of what’s right or wrong.The proverb reflects a timeless t..