Proverb / Kotowaza
馬鹿と鋏は使いよう
Even people who seem incompetent can be useful if they are managed correctly and given the right tasks.
Both fools and scissors depend on how they are used
Quick Answer
Even people who seem incompetent can be useful if they are managed correctly and given the right tasks.
- Literal Image
- Both fools and scissors depend on how they are used
- How to Use It
- This can be used when discussing personnel management or the importance of finding the right person for a specific job.
Meaning
This proverb suggests that just as scissors can be either dangerous or useful depending on how they are handled, a person's value is determined by how they are utilized. It emphasizes that everyone has a place where they can contribute effectively, provided that those in charge know how to assign the right roles.
Literal Image
Both fools and scissors depend on how they are used
How to Use It
This can be used when discussing personnel management or the importance of finding the right person for a specific job.
Tone
The word 'baka' (fool) is blunt; while the proverb is advice, it should be used with care to avoid sounding condescending toward specific individuals.
Examples
彼は要領が悪いが、単純作業なら誰より丁寧だ。馬鹿と鋏は使いようで、適材適所が大切だ。
He is not very efficient, but he is more thorough than anyone else when it comes to simple tasks. As they say, 'fools and scissors depend on how they are used'—finding the right person for the right job is what matters.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
Uses nouns like 'baka' and 'hasami', but the 'verb stem + you' structure and the idiomatic application to management are less transparent for beginners.
馬鹿
ばか / baka
fool / idiot
鋏
はさみ / hasami
scissors
使いよう
つかいよう / tsukaiyou
way of using / how to handle
Usage Profile
Usage note: Using this to describe a specific coworker or subordinate directly can be seen as an insult because of the word 'baka'.
Misread Risk
Do not take this as a literal guide to using scissors; it is a metaphor for leadership and personnel management.
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Related Proverbs
Origin
Scissors are useful tools when handled correctly, but they can be dangerous if used the wrong way. This proverb uses the tool as a metaphor for people who are perceived as foolish or difficult, suggesting that their value depends entirely on the skill of the person managing them.
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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.