Japanese Proverbs About Cause and Consequence

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

Unwanted or harmful relationships are deeply rooted and difficult to break.

If you do bad things, you will eventually face negative consequences.

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.

Adversity or conflict leads to a more stable and stronger foundation than before.

Just as a net cannot trap the wind, money can flow away without staying, or chasing small details can be futile.

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

A state of extreme distress, suffering, or being cornered by financial hardship.

To suffer the secondary damage or negative aftermath of an event or someone else's actions.

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

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

A proverb used to predict the weather: a red sky in the morning suggests rain, while a red sky in the evening suggests fair weather.

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

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

Betraying a benefactor and causing them further trouble or dishonor upon one's departure.

People forget the help and kindness they received during a crisis once the difficulty has passed.

A state where all measures have failed and it is too late to take further action.

To waste all of one's previous efforts or hard work.

To make a mistake at the start of a process that leads to later complications or misunderstandings.

Responding to violence with further violence, or engaging in a brutal struggle between those closely related.

To be caught up in an unexpected disaster or trouble through no fault of one's own.

Small efforts or items, when accumulated over time, can grow into something significant.

Great events or major problems originate from minor causes.

Once you have started something—even if it is bad or dangerous—you should see it through to the end.

Use an evil or harmful thing to eliminate or counteract another evil.

The deep regret of being unable to show filial piety because one's parents have already passed away.

Once something is done, it cannot be undone.

To perform a service for free only to end up suffering a loss or damage as a result.

If a task or project starts well, it is likely to result in a successful conclusion.

To accelerate the progress of something or add momentum to an ongoing situation.

Those who do not work have no right to receive the benefits of food or livelihood.

To look surprised and dazed after an unexpected event.

To pile further shame on top of an existing failure, while trying to cover it up.

Great power and military might can ironically lead to destruction through overconfidence.

To make a bad or intense situation even worse by taking an action that fans the flames.

A rumor cannot exist without some underlying truth or cause.

Poverty can dull the mind and impair a person's judgment.

Losing everything to someone after offering them a small favor.

A parent's advice, like cold sake, may not be felt immediately but proves its value over time.

Mistaking the trivial for the essential or getting one's priorities backwards.

There is only harm and no benefit whatsoever.

Being so stingy with a small amount of money that you end up suffering a much larger loss.

One truly appreciates the value of a supportive spouse only after falling into poverty or hardship.

Showing kindness now can result in harm later by hindering a person's independence or growth.

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