Korean Proverb Series 49
Even When Crossing a Stone Bridge, Tap It First
“돌다리도 두들겨 보고 건너라”
(Doldarido dudeul-gyeo bogo geonneora)
🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core Meaning
The Korean proverb “돌다리도 두들겨 보고 건너라” literally means
“Even when crossing a stone bridge, tap it first.”
It teaches that no matter how safe or certain something appears,
one should always proceed carefully and verify before acting.
The saying values prudence, preparation, and cautious wisdom —
qualities that prevent regret later.
🪄 2. Meaning & Key Lesson
▪️ Never assume safety; always confirm before you act.
▪️ Careful steps lead to steady success.
▪️ Thoughtful caution is not fear — it’s foresight.
This proverb reminds us that wisdom is not about speed,
but about seeing the ground clearly before taking the next step.
👀 3. Real-Life Applications
▪️ Before signing a contract, read the details carefully.
▪️ Before trusting someone completely, take time to understand their actions.
▪️ In life decisions — career, friendship, or investment — double-checking prevents unnecessary loss.
Prudence protects dreams — and turns risk into reliability.
🌏 4. Similar Proverbs Around the World
▪️ United States / United Kingdom — “Look before you leap.”
→ Think carefully before taking action.
▪️ China — “小心驶得万年船 (Xiǎo xīn shǐ dé wàn nián chuán).”
→ “A careful sailor can steer his ship for ten thousand years.”
▪️ Japan — “石橋を叩いて渡る (Ishibashi o tataite wataru).”
→ “Tap the stone bridge before crossing it.” (Identical meaning.)
▪️ France — “Il faut battre le fer pendant qu’il est chaud, mais avec prudence.”
→ “Strike while the iron is hot, but with prudence.”
Across cultures, caution is seen not as hesitation,
but as the mark of true wisdom.
💬 A Warm Saying
“Caution doesn’t slow you down —
it guides you safely to where you truly want to go.”
📌 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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