Korean Proverb : You Have to Measure to Know Which Is Longer

Korean Proverb Series 48

You Have to Measure to Know Which Is Longer
“길고 짧은 건 대봐야 안다”
(Gilgo jjalbeun geon daebwaya anda)

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🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core Meaning

The Korean proverb “길고 짧은 건 대봐야 안다” literally means
“You can’t know what’s long or short until you measure it.”

It teaches that one should not judge too quickly —
true ability, strength, or value can only be revealed through fair comparison and time.
The saying reflects the Korean emphasis on experience, fairness, and humility before judgment.

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🪄 2. Meaning & Key Lesson

▪️ Appearances can be deceiving — only real action shows truth.
▪️ Don’t underestimate others before giving them a chance.
▪️ Effort and proof speak louder than assumptions.

This proverb encourages patience and fairness —
reminding us that real worth is proven, not presumed.

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👀 3. Real-Life Applications

▪️ A newcomer at work might seem inexperienced but can outperform with time.
▪️ In competitions, results matter more than reputation.
▪️ In life, judging by appearances often hides true potential.

Let time and effort reveal the truth — not prejudice or pride.

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🌏 4. Similar Proverbs Around the World

▪️ United States / United Kingdom — “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”
　→ Appearances do not show true value.

▪️ China — “不入虎穴，焉得虎子 (Bù rù hǔ xué, yān dé hǔ zǐ).”
　→ “You can’t know the tiger’s cub without entering the den.” (True worth requires testing.)

▪️ Japan — “見てみぬうちは分からぬ (Mite minu uchi wa wakaranu).”
　→ “You won’t know until you see for yourself.”

▪️ France — “C’est à l’épreuve qu’on connaît l’or.”
　→ “Gold is known by testing.”

 

Across cultures, wisdom agrees —
truth must be tested, not assumed.

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💬 A Warm Saying

“Real worth is revealed not by talk,
but by the test of time and effort.”

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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.
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