33 Short Japanese Proverbs and Sayings (WISDOM)

Updated onDecember 1, 2023

Top 10 Most Famous Japanese Proverbs and Sayings (BEST)

Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare. — Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare.

Fall down seven times, get up eight times.

Be not afraid of going slowly. Be afraid of standing still.

Be humble. Even an expert can make mistakes.

He who runs after two hares will catch neither.

Cold tea and cold rice are bearable, but not cold looks and cold words.

A bad wife spells a hundred years of bad harvest.

Experience the beauties of nature, and in doing so learn about yourself. — Experience the beauties of nature, and in doing so learn about yourself.

A frog in a well does not know the great sea.

We're fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance. — We’re fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance.

11 Inspirational Japanese Proverbs and Sayings

Fear is only as deep as the mind allows. — Fear is only as deep as the mind allows.

Even a fool may be good at something.

The day you decide to do it is your lucky day. — The day you decide to do it is your lucky day.

We learn little from victory, much from defeat.

One kind word can warm three winter months. — One kind word can warm three winter months.

Even when months and days are long, life is short.

Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. — Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.

Take a bad or desperate situation and turn it into a successful one. — Take a bad or desperate situation and turn it into a successful one.

Everyone has their own tastes. Respect others. — Everyone has their own tastes. Respect others.

If you make a mistake, don’t hesitate to correct it.

It is the same life whether we spend it crying or laughing. — It is the same life whether we spend it crying or laughing.

12 Wise Japanese Proverbs and Sayings

Boasting begins where wisdom stops. — Boasting begins where wisdom stops.

The reputation of a thousand years may be determined by the conduct of one hour. — The reputation of a thousand years may be determined by the conduct of one hour.

The tongue is but three inches long, yet it can kill a man six feet high.

Beginning is easy, continuing is hard.

The smallest good deed is better than the grandest intention.

You can't do anything without risking something. — You can’t do anything without risking something.

The bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak that resists.

You reap what you sow.

Don't count your chickens before they've hatched. — Don’t count your chickens before they’ve hatched.

One who smiles rather than rages is always the stronger.

Don't offer things to people who are incapable of appreciating them. — Don’t offer things to people who are incapable of appreciating them.

If you understand everything you must be misinformed.

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Short Japanese Proverbs and Sayings (WISDOM) - Gracious Quotes

Jeremiah Say

Overcoming depression and suicidal thoughts, Jeremiah Say found solace in quotes. After filling countless pages with resonating words, he moved his collection online to save trees and inspire others. Thus, GraciousQuotes.com was born. Jeremiah firmly believes in the power of quotes to swiftly spark inspiration during hard times. His blog is dedicated to uplifting others through these shared wisdoms. Discover more about Gracious Quotes or get in touch with Jeremiah.