Proverb / Kotowaza
忠言は耳に逆らう
Sincere advice is difficult to hear and hard to accept.
Loyal advice goes against the ear.
Quick Answer
Sincere advice is difficult to hear and hard to accept.
- Literal Image
- Loyal advice goes against the ear.
- How to Use It
- Used when acknowledging that a piece of advice is harsh or painful to hear, but should be taken seriously for growth.
Meaning
Loyal advice intended for one's benefit can be painful to listen to because it points out personal flaws. Because it is truthful and helpful, it is important to take it to heart. The words that are hardest to hear are the most necessary for personal improvement.
Literal Image
Loyal advice goes against the ear.
How to Use It
Used when acknowledging that a piece of advice is harsh or painful to hear, but should be taken seriously for growth.
Tone
Instructional and cautionary; has a literary feel.
Examples
忠言は耳に逆らうと言うが、厳しい意見にこそ耳を傾けるべきだ。
They say that loyal advice is hard to hear, but it is precisely the harsh opinions we should listen to.
忠言は耳に逆らうもので、本当のことを言ってくれる人ほど疎まれやすい。
Honest advice is hard to accept, so those who tell the truth tend to be disliked.
忠言は耳に逆らうが、後になって感謝する日が必ず来る。
Sincere advice may be hard to take at the time, but the day will surely come when you are grateful for it.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
Uses formal vocabulary like chugen (loyal advice) and the verb sakarau (to oppose), making it characteristic of advanced or literary Japanese.
忠言
ちゅうげん / chugen
loyal advice; sincere words
耳
みみ / mimi
ear
逆らう
さからう / sakarau
to go against; to oppose; to defy
Usage Profile
Usage note: Do not use this to justify being unnecessarily rude; it refers specifically to constructive advice that is difficult to hear.
Misread Risk
The focus is on the benefit of the advice, not just the fact that it is unpleasant; avoid using it for empty insults.
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Origin
Derived from the Chinese classic 『史記』 (Shiki), from the line: 「忠言は耳に逆らえども行いに利あり」 (Loyal advice goes against the ear but is beneficial to action).
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