PROVERB · HUMILITY
선비는 굶어도 힘줄을 팔지 않는다
What it means · 뜻
Principles over money.
Literal reading · 직역
The scholar starves but won't sell his sinew
Context
🎋 Humility — Korean proverbs in this family are said out loud, not just read. They arrive with the situation attached, which is why they are worth learning as whole sentences rather than as vocabulary.
Similar meaning
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가까운 집이 더 멀다
You know least about what's nearest to you.
개구리 올챙이 시절 생각 못 한다
Success makes you forget your humble beginnings.
아는 길도 물어가라
Confirm even what you think you know.
잔디밭도 밟으면 뭉개진다
Even the strong suffer when trampled.
참을 인 세 번이면 살인도 피한다
Endure three times and you avoid disaster.
벼는 익을수록 고개를 숙인다
The truly great stay humble.
참을 인 셋이면 살인도 피한다
Patience prevents disaster.
흥보가 기가 막혀 남의 집 밥 얻어 먹는다
Even the proud fall on hard times.
다람쥐도 힘들면 나무에 올라간다
Everyone needs rest sometimes.
뛰는 놈 위에 나는 놈 있다
There's always someone better out there.
남의 눈의 티는 보고 제 눈의 들보는 못 본다
Blind to your own faults.
꼬리 먼저 친 개가 밥은 나중에 먹는다
Eager show-offs finish last.
새 발의 피
A trivial amount — bird blood barely shows.
닭 부리가 될지언정 소 꼬리는 되지 마라
Better first among the small than last among the great.
죽을 수가 닥치면 살 수가 생긴다
Desperation opens doors.
손자를 귀애하면 코 묻은 밥을 먹는다
Spoiling has gross invoices.
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