Proverbs and Sayings

Spilt water will not return to the tray. — One of the meanings of this proverb could be… It’s no use crying over spilt milk. / A separated couple can never go back to as it was. Original meaning comes from an old Chinese story of a couple, but the proverb is often used in [...]

An apprentice near a temple will recite the scriptures untaught. — One of the meanings of this proverb could be… The environment makes our characters. (This is a Japanese proverb, saying, or idiom)

If you do not enter the tiger’s cave, you will not catch its cub. — One of the meanings of this proverb could be… Nothing ventured, nothing gained. / You can’t do anything without risking something. (This is a Japanese proverb, saying, or idiom)

Soka on all sides — One of the meanings of this proverb could be… Defeat is clear; Situation is desperate beyond hope. Source: Xiang Yu, recorded by Sima Qian, Records of the Grand Historian (This is a Japanese proverb, saying, or idiom)

A monk for (just) three days. — One of the meanings of this proverb could be… Giving up at the first sign of difficulty. (This is a Japanese proverb, saying, or idiom)