Korean Proverb : Seeing Once Is Better Than Hearing a Hundred Times

Korean Proverb Series 19

Seeing Once Is Better Than Hearing a Hundred Times

"백문이 불여일견"
(Baekmun-i bulyeo-ilgyeon)

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🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core Meaning

The Korean proverb “백문이 불여일견” literally translates to:
“Hearing a hundred times is not as good as seeing once.”

It conveys the truth that firsthand experience or direct observation is far more valuable than hearsay or theory. The proverb encourages learning through experience rather than relying solely on others’ words or assumptions.

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🪄 2. Meaning & Key Lesson

• What we see with our own eyes often reveals more truth than what we hear from others.
• The proverb teaches the value of firsthand experience, curiosity, and verification.
• It reminds us that genuine understanding comes from doing and seeing — not just from listening or believing.

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👀 3. Real-Life Applications

• A traveler understands another culture more deeply by visiting, not just by reading about it.
• A student learns science more effectively through experiments than lectures alone.
• An investor realizes the reality of business only after seeing the work behind the numbers.

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🌏 4. Similar Proverbs Around the World

CountryProverb / SayingInterpretation

 

United States	“Seeing is believing.”	What we witness firsthand carries the most conviction.
Japan	「百聞は一見に如かず」 (Hyakubun wa ikken ni shikazu)	“Hearing a hundred times is not as good as seeing once.” — identical in meaning to the Korean version.
China	“百闻不如一见” (Bǎi wén bù rú yī jiàn)	“Hearing a hundred times is not as good as seeing once.” — the original root of the saying.

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💬 A Warm Saying

“To see with your own eyes
is to understand with your own heart.”

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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.