Japanese Proverbs About Success and Failure

To desire even more after achieving one goal, illustrating that human greed is limitless.

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

Earning a large profit without needing any initial capital or investment.

Seize opportunities immediately before they pass by and become impossible to catch.

Human unity and cooperation are more powerful than material or geographical advantages.

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

A situation where orders or policies are changed so that they become unreliable.

Small details must be handled carefully when pursuing a big goal, or small things may be sacrificed for a larger objective.

An actor who is unskilled at acting.

If you act with firm resolve, no obstacle—not even supernatural forces—can stand in your way.

Great strength is achieved when many people work together as a single unit.

When a man steps out into society to work or lead a life, he will inevitably encounter many rivals and obstacles.

Something redundant or unnecessary that provides no benefit and may even spoil the result.

Even those with limited talent can match gifted individuals through persistent and continuous effort.

Describing something that has no effect, whether good or bad, and is ultimately useless.

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

Starting preparations only after a problem has already occurred.

Scrambling to prepare or take measures only after a problem has already occurred.

Refers to something that is useless in reality or a plan that is impossible to achieve.

To gain a great profit or a valuable reward from a small initial investment or gift.

Settling a past grudge in an unexpected place or through an unrelated matter.

Help that is far away cannot provide relief for an immediate emergency.

To end up with something of poor quality despite careful selection or being overly picky.

An expression of satisfaction used when things go exactly as planned or an opportunity is cleverly seized.

To enthusiastically seize a perfect opportunity to use one's special skills or talents.

A situation where efforts to lead or motivate others receive no response.

Once something is done, it cannot be undone.

To work with all one's might and devote oneself completely to a task.

To be terrified by even the slightest sound or sign of something.

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

Possessing a strong will that remains unbroken and steadfast despite any hardship or adversity.

The final crucial touch that completes a work and makes it perfect.

There is essentially no difference between two things, even if there is a minor difference in degree.

Ordinary people grasp only a small part of a great matter and fail to see the big picture.

A situation where a third party steps in and takes the profit while two others are busy fighting.

Advancing with fierce, unstoppable momentum.

The initial approach or starting point of an endeavor significantly influences the final outcome.

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

The most outstanding person or thing among many of the same kind.

Describes being in an extremely dangerous situation or a precarious position that requires extreme caution.

Doing work too quickly results in poor quality.

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

Start quietly and cautiously to put others off guard, then act with sudden speed once an opportunity arises.

Describing something so poor in quality or lacking in merit that it is completely useless and impossible to handle.

Something so utterly useless or poor in quality that it is beyond help or redemption.

Swift action is the most critical factor for success in strategy and competitive situations.

A metaphor for something that was once lively suddenly losing its vitality and becoming quiet or desolate.

A state of extreme financial distress or struggling to make ends meet.