Proverb / Kotowaza
家貧しくて孝子顕る
A child's true devotion and character are revealed during times of family hardship and poverty.
When the family is poor, the filial child appears.
Quick Answer
A child's true devotion and character are revealed during times of family hardship and poverty.
- Literal Image
- When the family is poor, the filial child appears.
- Closest Equivalent
- Adversity reveals the true character of children.
- How to Use It
- Used to praise or observe the actions of a child who remains devoted and supportive when their family faces financial or personal crises.
Meaning
While anyone can appear to be a dutiful child when a family is wealthy and comfortable, it is during times of struggle that genuine filial piety is clearly shown. This proverb suggests that adversity serves as the ultimate test, revealing who truly cares for and supports their parents when things are most difficult.
Literal Image
When the family is poor, the filial child appears.
Equivalent Proverbs
Adversity reveals the true character of children.
A close thematic match regarding character revealed by hardship.
How to Use It
Used to praise or observe the actions of a child who remains devoted and supportive when their family faces financial or personal crises.
Tone
Carries a moralizing and appreciative tone, can be used in literary or formal contexts.
Examples
父が病に倒れ家計が苦しくなったとき、長男は仕事を掛け持ちして家族を支えた。まさに家貧しくて孝子顕るだ。
When his father fell ill and the family finances became tight, the eldest son worked multiple jobs to support the family. This is truly a case of 'When the family is poor, the filial child appears.'
家貧しくて孝子顕るの言葉があるように、苦境に立たされたときにこそ、子の真心が試される。
As the saying goes, 'When the family is poor, the filial child appears'; a child's true heart is tested exactly when they are in a difficult situation.
豊かなうちは三兄弟誰も帰省しなかったが、両親が年老いて家が傾くと、末っ子だけが帰って面倒を見た。家貧しくて孝子顕るとはこのことだ。
While they were wealthy, none of the three brothers visited home, but when the parents grew old and the family's fortunes declined, only the youngest returned to take care of them. This is what is meant by 'When the family is poor, the filial child appears.'
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
Features the classical verb form 'arawaru' and the literary compound 'koushi' (filial child), which are rarely used in daily conversation.
家
いえ / ie
house; family
貧しい
まずしい / mazushii
poor; impoverished
孝子
こうし / koushi
filial child
顕る
あらわる / arawaru
to appear; to be revealed
Usage Profile
Usage note: This is a formal and literary expression; using it in very casual settings might seem overly stiff.
Misread Risk
Do not assume this only applies to financial poverty; it can refer to any severe hardship that tests the sincerity of family bonds.
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Origin
This proverb is derived from a Chinese classic, which states: 'When the world is in chaos, loyal ministers are known; when the family is poor, filial children are known' (世乱れて忠臣を知り、家貧しくして孝子を知る). It teaches that just as a chaotic era reveals who is truly loyal to the state, a period of family hardship reveals which children possess genuine filial piety. While everyone may appear dutiful in times of prosperity, true devotion is only proven through adversity.
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