Japanese Proverbs to Warn Someone

Always having a comeback or excuse instead of listening to what someone says.

Failing to obtain anything by being greedy and trying to grab two things at once.

Taking a significant risk or using dangerous methods to achieve a goal.

Doing something dangerous is equivalent to being injured, even if you avoid harm this time.

To waste time by chatting or slacking off instead of working or finishing a task.

To seize on someone's minor slip of the tongue or mistake to criticize or tease them.

To rest on one's laurels or status and stop making an effort.

The autumn sun sets extremely quickly, as if a bucket were falling straight down into a well.

Autumn eggplants are either too delicious to share with a daughter-in-law or should be avoided for her health.

Someone who gets bored with things quickly also tends to fall for new interests just as fast.

Inferior quality things or people tend to push out superior ones when they exist in the same environment.

Hurling a variety of insults and verbal abuse at someone without restraint.

Bad deeds and negative rumors spread quickly to the world.

Bad deeds and negative reputations spread rapidly over great distances.

Marrying an unsuitable wife results in a lifetime of hardship comparable to sixty years of crop failure.

Money obtained without effort or through dishonest means is quickly lost because it is spent carelessly.

Forgetting the favors and gratitude owed to others once a difficult situation has passed.

Laws or regulations that are too loose allow major criminals to escape justice.

A bad situation continues with no signs of improvement and an ominous atmosphere.

An unnaturally calm state that precedes a major event or upheaval.

A tiny flaw or a moment of carelessness can lead to a massive disaster or failure.

Extremely strict security or surveillance where not a single gap remains.

A tiny oversight or flaw can eventually lead to a major disaster.

Lending money on the condition that it can be repaid whenever the borrower is able, without any reminders.

A weather proverb stating that seeing a rainbow in the morning is a sign that heavy rain will follow later that day.

Treat even minor or easy tasks with the same level of caution and attention as difficult ones.

Just as shallow waters create the loudest waves, people with little ability or knowledge tend to be the most boastful and noisy.

A black kite calling in the morning is a traditional sign that rain is approaching, advising people to stay indoors.

To take advantage of another person's weakness or difficult situation.

To be tripped up or taken advantage of by unfair means when one is off guard.

Taking precautions and preparing for danger in advance.

The misfortune that strikes someone else today could happen to you tomorrow.

A certain small profit today is better than an uncertain large profit tomorrow.

Do not procrastinate, as unexpected events may rob you of the opportunity to act tomorrow.

Starting an undertaking with great energy only to have it lose momentum and fail, or possessing knowledge without the ability to act.

Handle your own problems before trying to fix or criticize others.

Used to describe someone who cannot handle their own affairs yet tries to interfere in the business of others.

Attend to your own affairs before interfering in the business of others.

Hiding only a part of one's faults or misdeeds while thinking everything is concealed.

Accidentally letting out a single word that leads to a secret being completely revealed.

New ideas or content require suitable new forms and methods to be effective.

An expression describing an irresponsible attitude where one only cares about the immediate situation and ignores the consequences that follow.

To become excessively cautious after a single failure or bad experience.

To be in an extremely unstable and dangerous situation that could collapse at any moment.

To ignore opinions or criticism and let them pass without any effect.

A sharp rebuke used to tell someone that there is a limit to their foolish or irresponsible talk.

While mocking a foolish person might be overlooked, one must never mock those who are in poverty.

A metaphor for temptations or vices that destroy a person's inherent good nature or natural talents.