Quotations

Proverb

β€œ

Spilled rice can be gathered; spoken words cannot.

β€” Korean proverb; individual author and earliest origin unknown

Explore Purpose

An open book and a ceramic tea cup beside a garden window.
AI-generated editorial illustration Β· Quotations
Sign in to save β™‘

What does this proverb mean?

Think before speaking, because an utterance cannot truly be taken back.

Sources and attribution

Unattributed Traditional proverb; individual author and earliest use unknown.

Source: National Institute of Korean Language β€” Korean Basic Dictionary , Korean Basic Dictionary, proverb: μŒ€μ€ 쏟고 μ£Όμ›Œλ„ 말은 ν•˜κ³  λͺ» μ€λŠ”λ‹€

Origin: Korean proverb; individual author and earliest origin unknown

View reference β†—

Traditional Korean saying. English rendering and explanation by Quotations; not copied from the dictionary’s definitions. The reference documents usage, not first authorship.

Suggest an attribution correction β†—

Keep exploring