The World of Proverbs

Proverbs are the “craft of words.” It’s a kind of art - skillfully expressing practical wisdom and life lessons in plain, accessible language that anyone can understand.

Take, for example, the saying “Walls have ears.” What a masterful expression. It vividly conveys the idea that secrets are easily leaked. Interestingly, some cultures express the same idea with phrases like “Forests have ears,” “Winds have ears,” or even “Insects have ears.” Fascinating! It feels like a glimpse into another culture, while also revealing something universal about human nature.

I love the world of proverbs. I enjoy pondering what truths they reveal and why they’ve been passed down through generations. I also find it deeply rewarding to explore the cultural background behind their unique phrasing.

This passion has led me to write a series of essays on proverbs for “Views”, the newsletter of the Japan Business Society of Detroit (JBSD), and for the column of Japan Intercultural Consulting. I’m truly grateful for the opportunity. And I feel a sense of excitement wondering what new proverbs I’ll encounter and what discoveries lie ahead.

Proverbs are the intuitive wisdom of our ancestors, and in many ways, a form of collective human knowledge. I look forward to continuing this journey of exploring the world of proverbs - and savoring it to the fullest.

This essay is a revised version of a piece originally published on September 13, 2025, in the News of Japan Intercultural Consulting website (Japanese).