Korean Proverb : The Upper Water Must Be Clear for the Lower to Be Clean

Korean Proverb Series 59

The Upper Water Must Be Clear for the Lower to Be Clean

“윗물이 맑아야 아랫물이 맑다”
(Witmul-i malgaya aret-mul-i malgda)

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🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core Meaning

The Korean proverb “윗물이 맑아야 아랫물이 맑다” literally means
“The water below can only be clean if the water above is clear.”

It teaches that leaders, parents, or elders set the example
for those who follow them.
If those in higher positions act with honesty and integrity,
those below will naturally follow suit.
But if the top becomes corrupt, the lower levels will soon be tainted too.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of moral leadership and good influence.

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🪄 2. Meaning & Key Lesson

▪️ The behavior of leaders shapes the people beneath them.
▪️ A family, company, or nation reflects the character of those at the top.
▪️ Clean beginnings create clean results.

Good examples are more powerful than strict rules.
This saying reminds us that true authority inspires by example, not control.

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👀 3. Real-Life Applications

▪️ In a company, when a CEO acts fairly, employees work with trust and motivation.
▪️ In a family, when parents live with respect and kindness,
　their children learn compassion naturally.
▪️ In society, when public officials live honestly,
　citizens gain faith in justice and responsibility.

The purity of water flows downward —
so does the purity of human character and influence.

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🌏 4. Similar Proverbs Around the World

▪️ United States — “As the tree, so the fruit.”
　→ The quality of the fruit depends on the tree it grows from.

▪️ United Kingdom — “The fish rots from the head down.”
　→ Corruption starts at the top.

▪️ China — “上梁不正下梁歪 (Shàng liáng bù zhèng xià liáng wāi).”
　→ If the upper beam is crooked, the lower beams will be too.

▪️ Japan — “上が濁れば下も濁る (Ue ga nigoreba shita mo nigoru).”
　→ If the upper water is muddy, the lower water will also be dirty.

All cultures agree — leadership and example are the roots of integrity.

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💬 A Warm Saying

“The clearest water begins at its source —
be the one who keeps the stream pure.”

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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.