Proverb / Kotowaza
悪因悪果
If you do bad things, you will eventually face negative consequences.
Bad causes, bad results
Quick Answer
If you do bad things, you will eventually face negative consequences.
- Literal Image
- Bad causes, bad results
- How to Use It
- Used to point out that someone’s failure, hardship, or loss of status is the direct result of their own past misconduct or dishonest actions.
Meaning
This proverb states that evil deeds will inevitably result in negative outcomes. It is based on the Buddhist law of causality, emphasizing that a person's current misfortune is the direct product of their own past actions. It serves as a reminder that one cannot escape the repercussions of unethical behavior.
Literal Image
Bad causes, bad results
How to Use It
Used to point out that someone’s failure, hardship, or loss of status is the direct result of their own past misconduct or dishonest actions.
Tone
This expression carries a cautionary and moralizing tone, can be used critically to describe someone's self-inflicted misfortune.
Examples
不正を働いて地位を追われたのは、悪因悪果だ。
Losing his position after committing fraud was a case of bad causes leading to bad results.
嘘をつき続けた結果、誰からも信用されなくなったのは悪因悪果である。
As a result of continuing to lie, no one trusts him anymore—it is truly a case of evil actions bringing evil consequences.
悪因悪果とはこのことで、彼は自業自得の結末を迎えた。
This is exactly what is meant by 'bad causes, bad results'; he met an end brought upon by his own deeds.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
The proverb uses a four-character compound (yojijukugo) structure with specific Buddhist-derived vocabulary that is encountered at advanced levels of study.
悪因
あくいん / akuin
evil cause; bad action
悪果
あっか / akka
evil fruit; bad result
Usage Profile
Usage note: Because this term directly attributes failure to the person's 'evil' or 'bad' actions, it can sound very harsh and accusatory if used directly to someone in distress.
Misread Risk
Do not use this to describe simple bad luck or accidents where no clear wrongdoing was involved; it specifically implies that a 'bad cause' (misconduct) preceded the 'bad result'.
Search As
Related Proverbs
Origin
This expression is a Buddhist term that describes the law of causality (因果律). It teaches that negative outcomes are the direct and unavoidable result of bad actions, where 'evil causes' (悪因) lead to 'evil fruits' (悪果).
Index
Topics, Situations, and Tags
Topics
Situations
Tags
Source Note
Where did this entry get its data from? The reference links are listed below. To understand how to read this section, see Data Sources.