Proverbs & idioms

Japanese proverbs (ことわざ), four-character idioms (四字熟語), and idioms — from JMdict.

• 背に腹は替えられぬせにはらはかえられぬyou can't make an omelet without breaking eggs; a small sacrifice may be necessary to solve a more pressing problem
• 船頭多くして船山に登るせんどうおおくしてふねやまにのぼるtoo many cooks spoil the broth; too many captains will steer the ship up a mountain
• 花泥棒は罪にならないはなどろぼうはつみにならないit is no crime to steal flowers
• 芸は身を助くげいはみをたすくart brings bread
• 芸は身を助けるげいはみをたすけるart brings bread
• 茶腹も一時ちゃばらもいっときanything is better than nothing; kail spares bread; a bellyful is a bellyful, whether it be meat or drink; tea in the belly (will fill it) for a time
• 葷酒山門に入るを許さず