expression:

• there are wheels within wheels; there's more than meets the eye - proverb

expression:

• the smartest thing in a tight situation is to beat a retreat - proverb ➜ 三十六計

expression:

• one red flower standing out in a sea of green vegetation; one item of quality standing out among many; one woman among many men - proverb ➜ 万緑一紅

expression:

• you learn, without realising it, from what is around you; a shop-boy near the temple gate will recite sutras untaught [literal] - proverb

expression:

• even the hardest of hearts can be moved to tears; a tear in the ogre's eye [literal] - proverb

expression:

• wretched is the lot of a government official; it is better to work for oneself than to work for someone else - proverb

expression:

• seeing is believing; one eye-witness is better than many hearsays; a picture is worth a thousand words - proverb

expression / noun:

• third time lucky; third time's the charm - proverb

expression:

• the poor can't afford manners; only when basic needs for living are met can people spare the effort to be polite - proverb

expression:

• the student has become the master; blue dye comes from the indigo plant and is bluer than indigo [literal] - proverb

expression:

• we meet only to part; meeting is the first step to parting [literal] - proverb

expression:

• the autumn sun sets as quickly as a bucket dropping into a well - proverb

expression:

• bad news travels fast - proverb ➜ 悪事千里を走る

expression:

• slow but steady wins the race; constant effort will result in success; constant dripping wears away a stone [literal] - proverb

expression:

• the law has holes large enough for the most wicked men to slip through; the long arm of the law doesn't reach everywhere; fishes big enough to eat boats aren't caught by the net [literal] - proverb

expression:

• there are exceptions to every rule; rocks will flow and leaves will sink [literal] - proverb - obscure term

expression / noun:

• perseverance prevails; three years on a (cold) stone (will make the stone warm) [literal] - proverb

expression:

• dead men tell no tales - proverb

expression:

• any event can bring about an effect in an unexpected way; if the wind blows the bucket makers prosper [literal] - proverb

expression:

• talk is cheap; it's easier to say than to do; building Osaka Castle by talking [literal] - proverb

expression:

• a student must never forget to honor their teacher (honour) - proverb ➜ 三尺去って師の影を踏まず

expression:

• a student must never forget to honor their teacher (honour) - proverb

expression:

• a student must never forget to honor their teacher (honour) - proverb

expression:

• easy come, easy go; lightly comes, lightly goes; soon gotten soon spent - proverb

expression:

• time waits for no-one; time and tide stay for no man - proverb