Korean Proverb Series 37
Too Many Boatmen Make the Boat Go to the Mountain
“사공이 많으면 배가 산으로 간다”
(Sagongi manheumyeon baega saneuro ganda)
🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core Meaning
The Korean proverb “사공이 많으면 배가 산으로 간다” literally means
“If there are too many boatmen, the boat will end up on a mountain.”
It humorously warns that when too many people try to lead or interfere,
the result is confusion and failure.
A clear direction and cooperation are essential —
otherwise, even with good intentions, progress collapses into chaos.
🪄 2. Meaning & Key Lesson
▪️ Leadership requires unity, not noise.
▪️ When everyone insists on their own way, nothing moves forward.
▪️ True teamwork means harmony, not dominance.
The proverb teaches that success often depends not on how many ideas exist,
but on how well people work together toward one purpose.
👀 3. Real-Life Applications
▪️ In group projects, when everyone argues to be the leader, goals get lost.
▪️ In companies, too many decision-makers without coordination lead to confusion.
▪️ Even in families or communities, too many opinions without listening cause conflict.
When cooperation fades, even the strongest boat can drift off course.
🌏 4. Similar Proverbs Around the World
▪️ United States / United Kingdom — “Too many cooks spoil the broth.”
→ When too many people manage something, the result gets worse.
▪️ China — “七嘴八舌 (Qī zuǐ bā shé).”
→ “Seven mouths, eight tongues” — too many voices cause disorder.
▪️ Japan — “船頭多くして船山に登る (Sendō ōkushite fune yama ni noboru).”
→ “With too many captains, the ship climbs a mountain.” (Identical meaning)
▪️ France — “Trop de capitaines font chavirer le navire.”
→ “Too many captains make the ship capsize.”
Across languages, the wisdom remains the same —
cooperation needs direction, and leadership needs balance.
💬 A Warm Saying
“Voices in harmony move the boat forward —
not those shouting over each other.”
📌 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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