Korean Proverb : Belling the Cat

Korean Proverb Series 39

Belling the Cat
“고양이 목에 방울 달기”
(Goyangi mok-e bangul dalgi)

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🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core Meaning

The Korean proverb “고양이 목에 방울 달기” literally means
“To hang a bell around a cat’s neck.”

It refers to a plan or idea that sounds clever in theory
but is difficult — or even impossible — to carry out in practice.
It humorously captures human nature: people often discuss brave solutions,
yet hesitate when true action is required.

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🪄 2. Meaning & Key Lesson

▪️ It’s easy to make plans, but hard to take responsibility for them.
▪️ True courage means acting on what you say.
▪️ Real change happens not through words, but through deeds.

This proverb reminds us that even the best ideas are meaningless
without someone brave enough to make them real.

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👀 3. Real-Life Applications

▪️ In meetings, many people agree on what “should be done,”
　but few step forward to do it.
▪️ In society, everyone may talk about justice,
　yet only a few act when it matters most.
▪️ Even in friendship, it’s easier to advise than to take action.

The proverb encourages us to move from discussion to execution —
from “someone should do it” to “I will do it.”

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🌏 4. Similar Proverbs Around the World

▪️ United States / United Kingdom — “Belling the cat.”
　→ The original English fable with the same meaning: easy to suggest, hard to do.
▪️ China — “说起来容易，做起来难 (Shuō qǐlái róngyì, zuò qǐlái nán).”
　→ “Easy to say, hard to do.”
▪️ Japan — “口で言うは易く、行うは難し (Kuchi de iu wa yasuku, okonau wa muzukashi).”
　→ “It’s easy to speak, hard to act.”
▪️ France — “Dire est aisé, faire est difficile.”
　→ “To speak is easy, to act is hard.”

Across cultures, people recognize the same truth:
words alone can’t ring the bell.

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💬 A Warm Saying

“Plans mean little until someone dares to act.”

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📌 Note
This is a creative cultural content from the Misojieum Story Blog (kor-telling.com).

Please do not copy without permission.
Sharing is welcome with proper source citation.