Proverbs with illustrations

The proverb (from the Latin proverbium) is a type of paremia, a judgmental statement. Otherjudgmental statements are: saying, adage, maximum sentence, aphorism, phraseproverbial maxim. The study of the sayings and proverbs is framed within the paremiology.

The point of a driven nail is bended not to slip off.

To make extra sure to avoid something wrong
To think carefully about the possible results or consequences before doing something

Say one, know ten.

A word is enough to the wise.

Even if it rains or spears fall

No matter what happens, but falling rain or spears.
More than a proverb is a saying that holds a promise or undertaking, which in Spanish we say again: "I'll be there, rain or shine."

The first is Mt. Fuji, the second a hawk and the third an eggplant.

The first is Mt. Fuji, the second a hawk and the third an eggplant. These are lucky things in one's first dream in the New Year.

A nail is driven into Nuka, salted paste for pickling.

A nod's as good as a wink to a blind horse.
You can take a horse to the water, but you can't make him drink.

A horse come out from a Hyotan, a gourd

A thing said or done in jest that comes true

A body with drango's head and snake's tail

Something which disappoints by failing to deliver anything of value, despite a showy beginning
start with a bang and end with a whimper
a flash in the pan

A drop of Sparrow's tears

a very small amount

Daikon, a Japanese white radish, is cut by Masamune, one of the most excellent swords in Japanese history.

Take not a musket to kill a butterfly.
Burn not your house to scare away the mice.

A monkey sees the bottom of others and laughs it.

The pot can't call the kettle black.
You can see a mote in another's eye but cannot see a beam in your own

as different as the moon from a soft-shelled turtle

as different as chalk from cheese

a frog transfixed by the cold gaze of a snake

Caught like a deer in the headlights

A leaving Itachi, weasel, breaks wind

a parting shot

He who run after two hares will catch neither.

Between two stools you fall to the ground.