Japanese Proverbs About Life & General Wisdom

Good deeds bring good results, and bad deeds bring bad results.

Human life and longevity are determined by fate or a higher power beyond human control.

Everything is possible only as long as you are alive, so life must be protected above all else.

Living a long life increases the opportunities for experiencing shame and disgrace.

Doing good deeds in secret will inevitably lead to a visible reward.

Even a brief act of kindness is remembered for a very long time.

Action leads to unexpected outcomes, whether they be sudden misfortunes or lucky accidents.

Someone else takes the credit or reward for your hard work.

Stating a fact that is so obvious it does not need to be mentioned.

While the first drink is controlled by the person, subsequent drinks lead to a loss of self-control until the alcohol eventually dominates the drinker.

Just as some ships enter a port while others leave, every parting is balanced by a new meeting.

Refers to an impossible event occurring or to someone past their prime achieving success again.

Romantic feelings can drive people to act beyond reason and sense.

A fair complexion can make up for many other physical shortcomings or defects.

Preferring the satisfaction of one's appetite over romantic or sexual interests.

Live within your means by calculating your income before deciding on your expenses.

Taking action or preparing for a situation after it is already too late.

An expert who gives good advice to others but fails to follow it themselves.

You cannot care for those who have already passed away, so you should show filial piety to your parents while they are still alive.

To be a sore loser and use far-fetched logic or quibbling to cover up a mistake.

Perseverance prevails; even a cold stone will eventually become warm if you sit on it long enough.

To be extremely cautious even when something appears safe.

People can only afford to care about manners and social decorum once their basic material needs are met.

Taking a safe, indirect route is ultimately faster than a risky shortcut.

Someone who is dependent on the hospitality of others must be reserved and careful not to overstep their bounds.

A once-in-a-lifetime major event or the most important moment of one's life.

To draw a clear boundary between things to distinguish them or to stand apart as being superior.

To do something with all your might or try your absolute best.

No one can predict what will happen in the immediate future.

To become accustomed to a role or position, so that one's behavior appears completely natural.

A seemingly safe situation can actually be adjacent to grave danger.

To be completely unbothered by criticism or attacks.

To be suspected of wrongdoing despite being completely innocent.

Everything and everyone has both strong points and weak points; nothing is perfect.

To wander aimlessly or lose one's direction in life.

Parents will not live forever, and money will not last indefinitely.

Ideal, comfortable conditions will not continue forever.

It is easy to talk about doing something, but carrying it out in practice is difficult.

Some things are better left unsaid, as silence can be more tasteful and prevent unnecessary trouble.

Those destined for greatness show signs of their extraordinary potential from early childhood.

To become desperate and act recklessly because things did not go as planned.

To stomp one's feet in extreme frustration or anger.

To praise oneself or one's own actions.

To reap the consequences of one's own actions.

The first step into a disastrous, irreversible, or terrifying situation.

Receiving unexpected help and feeling great joy when in a desperate situation.

Whether one experiences suffering (hell) or joy (paradise) is determined entirely by one's own mindset.

To be trapped or restricted by one's own words, actions, or rules.