Korean Proverbs & World Proverbs 85

Korean Proverb : You Reap What You Sow

Korean Proverb Series 65You Reap What You Sow“콩 심은 데 콩 나고 팥 심은 데 팥 난다”(Kong sim-eun de kong nago pat sim-eun de pat nanda)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “콩 심은 데 콩 나고 팥 심은 데 팥 난다” literally means“If you plant beans, beans will grow; if you plant red beans, red beans will grow.”It teaches that the outcome always matches the cause —what you do, say, or think determines what you..

Korean Proverb : There’s Always Someone Better

Korean Proverb Series 64There’s Always Someone Better“뛰는 놈 위에 나는 놈 있다”(Ttwineun nom wie naneun nom itda)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “뛰는 놈 위에 나는 놈 있다” literally means“There’s someone flying above the one who’s running.”It teaches that no matter how skilled or capable one is,there is always someone greater, faster, or wiser.This saying encourages humility — reminding us not..

Korean Proverb : You Can’t Scoop Up Spilled Water

Korean Proverb Series 63You Can’t Scoop Up Spilled Water“엎질러진 물은 다시 담을 수 없다”(Eopjilleojin mur-eun dasi dameul su eopda)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “엎질러진 물은 다시 담을 수 없다” literally means“Once water is spilled, you can’t put it back into the bowl.”It teaches that once something has happened, it cannot be undone —regret or denial cannot change the past.Instead of wasting energ..

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..