Some traditional Japanese proverbs…

Here are some Japanese proverbs and expressions sampled from a 543-page book called Proverbs, published by Asahi Daily News, 1982…

You can rely on a crane, but not on others: Heaven helps those who help themselves.

A salt-seller fell down in snow and (instinctively) tasted the snow mistaking it for (his merchandise) salt: Custom is a second nature.

He who with knowledge gained from books does not understand the true heart of the horse: Experience without learning is better than learning without experience.

To have one’s fried bean curd (a cherished object) taken away by a kite: to be off one’s guard.

To wear a kimono with the left side over the right: to experience hard times.

For an earthen Buddhist image to play in water: to invite disaster.

To dig out bamboo roots with a stick of incense: a vain effort.

If you have a mind of water, I will answer you with a mind of a fish: I will do by you as you do by me.

As cold hearted and unfeeling as a wooden, metal or stone image of Buddha.

One thousand earthen pots can be easily broken by a single hammer: a cat among the pigeons.

No one is born a hero or a coward; it is a matter of will.

The more kneaded the rice cake dough, the more glutinous and better the cake will be. Likewise the more attentively personal opinions are listened to, the more good they will do you.

-readersvoice.com