Korean Proverb : When Whales Fight, the Shrimp’s Back is Broken

🍂 Korean Proverb Series 2

“When Whales Fight, the Shrimp’s Back is Broken”
(Gorae ssawume saeu deung teojinda)

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🕰️ 1. The Proverb

The Korean proverb “고래 싸움에 새우 등 터진다” literally means,
“When whales fight, the shrimp’s back gets broken.”

It describes a situation where powerless people suffer as collateral damage when the powerful are in conflict.

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🪄 2. Meaning & Lesson

This proverb teaches that:

• When the strong clash, the weak often become unintended victims.
• It offers a critical view of power struggles in society, politics, and even families.
• The lesson emphasizes compassion and awareness, reminding us that our actions can harm those less powerful.

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👀 3. Example from Life

• Two large companies engage in a price war, but small local shops collapse as a result.
• Political leaders fight for power, while ordinary citizens face confusion and hardship.
• Even in a family, when siblings argue fiercely, parents or younger children feel the stress.

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🌏 4. Similar Proverbs Around the World

🇬🇧 “When elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers.” – An English proverb with almost the same meaning.

🇨🇳 “鹬蚌相争，渔翁得利” (Yù bàng xiāng zhēng, yúwēng dé lì) – “When a clam and a snipe fight, the fisherman benefits.” → Conflict among the strong harms or benefits others.

🇯🇵 “鯨と鯨が戦うと小魚が苦しむ” – “When whales fight, small fish suffer.” → Almost identical imagery to the Korean proverb.

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💬 A Warm Saying

“When the powerful collide,
let us not forget the quiet pain of the powerless.”

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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.