Korean Proverb : You Reap What You Sow

Korean Proverb Series 65

You Reap What You Sow

“콩 심은 데 콩 나고 팥 심은 데 팥 난다”
(Kong sim-eun de kong nago pat sim-eun de pat nanda)

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🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core Meaning

The Korean proverb “콩 심은 데 콩 나고 팥 심은 데 팥 난다” literally means
“If you plant beans, beans will grow; if you plant red beans, red beans will grow.”

It teaches that the outcome always matches the cause —
what you do, say, or think determines what you will receive.
Good deeds bring good results, while bad actions lead to bad consequences.

This saying highlights the natural law of cause and effect,
encouraging honesty, sincerity, and responsibility in life.

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🪄 2. Meaning & Key Lesson

▪️ What you plant is what you’ll harvest.
▪️ Every result has its root in action.
▪️ Live sincerely — the truth always reveals itself.

The proverb reminds us that nothing happens by chance.
Our words and actions, however small, shape the world around us.

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👀 3. Real-Life Applications

▪️ A student who studies diligently will see good results,
　while one who neglects effort cannot blame anyone else.
▪️ A kind person earns respect and trust over time,
　while deceit brings eventual loss and isolation.
▪️ A society built on integrity grows stronger —
　one built on lies eventually crumbles.

The lesson is timeless:
every seed we plant in life bears fruit — good or bad.

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🌏 4. Similar Proverbs Around the World

▪️ United States / United Kingdom — “You reap what you sow.”
　→ Your actions determine your fate.

▪️ China — “种瓜得瓜，种豆得豆 (Zhòng guā dé guā, zhòng dòu dé dòu).”
　→ Plant melons and you get melons; plant beans and you get beans.

▪️ Japan — “蒔かぬ種は生えぬ (Makanu tane wa haenu).”
　→ Seeds you don’t sow will never sprout.

▪️ France — “On récolte ce qu’on sème.”
　→ One harvests what one sows.

Across all cultures, this universal truth stands firm —
life gives back exactly what we put into it.

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💬 A Warm Saying

“Every word, every act is a seed.
Plant kindness — and watch the world bloom.”

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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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