Korean Proverb : It Depends on How You Frame It

Korean Proverb Series 84

It Depends on How You Frame It

“귀에 걸면 귀걸이, 코에 걸면 코걸이”
(Gwie geolmyeon gwigeori, koe geolmyeon koggeori)

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🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core Meaning

The Korean proverb “귀에 걸면 귀걸이, 코에 걸면 코걸이” literally means
“If you hang it on the ear, it becomes an earring;
if you hang it on the nose, it becomes a nose ring.”

It describes a situation where the same thing is interpreted differently
depending on one’s intention or convenience.
The object itself does not change —
only the explanation and framing do.

This proverb is often used critically,
pointing out double standards, twisted logic, or self-serving interpretation.

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🪄 2. Meaning & Key Lesson

▪️ The same fact can be explained in opposite ways.
▪️ Words can be used to justify almost anything.
▪️ Fair judgment requires consistent standards.

The proverb warns us to stay alert —
when logic changes too easily, truth is often being bent.

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👀 3. Real-Life Applications

▪️ Someone excuses their own mistake but condemns others for doing the same thing.
▪️ Rules are applied strictly to some people and loosely to others.
▪️ In arguments, definitions are changed just to “win” rather than to be fair.

This saying teaches us to look beyond words and examine intent, consistency, and honesty.

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🌏 4. Similar Proverbs Around the World

▪️ United States — “It’s all in how you spin it.” → Meaning depends on presentation.

▪️ United Kingdom — “One rule for you, another for me.” → Double standards.

▪️ China — “各说各话 (Gè shuō gè huà).” → Everyone speaks in their own favor.

▪️ France — “Tout dépend de la manière de le présenter.” → It all depends on how you present it.

Across cultures, people recognize the danger of truth being shaped by convenience rather than fairness.

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💬 A Warm Saying

“Wisdom listens not only to explanations, but to the fairness behind them.”

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

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