Korean Proverb Series 50
Even If You Know the Road, Ask the Way
“아는 길도 물어 가라”
(Aneun gil-do mureo gara)
🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core Meaning
The Korean proverb “아는 길도 물어 가라” literally means
“Even if you know the road, ask the way.”
It teaches that confidence should never replace caution.
No matter how experienced or knowledgeable we are,
there is wisdom in seeking advice and confirming what we think we know.
The proverb reflects the Korean value of humility, respect, and collective wisdom.
🪄 2. Meaning & Key Lesson
▪️ Overconfidence leads to mistakes; humility prevents them.
▪️ True wisdom is not knowing everything, but being willing to learn.
▪️ Asking questions shows strength, not weakness.
This saying reminds us that even the most certain path can have hidden turns —
and that a humble heart never loses its way.
👀 3. Real-Life Applications
▪️ A professional double-checks a familiar process and avoids costly errors.
▪️ A student reviews what they already know and discovers new insight.
▪️ In life, listening to others’ perspectives helps us see what we might have missed.
The proverb teaches:
wisdom grows not from pride, but from curiosity and respect.
🌏 4. Similar Proverbs Around the World
▪️ United States / United Kingdom — “Better safe than sorry.”
→ It’s wiser to be cautious than regretful.
▪️ China — “三人行，必有我师焉 (Sān rén xíng, bì yǒu wǒ shī yān).”
→ “Among three people, there is always something to learn.”
▪️ Japan — “聞くは一時の恥、聞かぬは一生の恥 (Kiku wa ittoki no haji, kikanu wa isshō no haji).”
→ “Asking is shame for a moment; not asking is shame for a lifetime.”
▪️ France — “Qui demande, apprend.”
→ “He who asks, learns.”
Across cultures, humility and curiosity are seen
as the twin roots of true wisdom.
💬 A Warm Saying
“Even the surest traveler still asks —
for wisdom grows with every question.”
📌 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.
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