
Can someone with nothing distinguish cold rice from hot?
— Korean proverb; individual author and earliest origin unknown
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THE LIBRARY
Shared wisdom, with origins and meanings explored.

Can someone with nothing distinguish cold rice from hot?

Urinating on a frozen foot.

When fishing goes badly, only jellyfish crowd the waters.

As if learned in the mother's womb.

Soothe someone, then slap them.

A lamp in the dark night.

To which rhythm should I dance?

Do you think it is some neighborhood child's name?

A noble will not dog-paddle even when drowning.

The quiet cat climbs onto the stove first.

A clever mouse sees poorly at night.

Licorice in the medicine shop.

A road of ninety thousand ri lies ahead.

Like a troublesome tooth finally removed.

Rather than suffer it, I would do it myself.

Look at the place before sitting down.

No grass would grow where that person sat.

The unlucky person breaks their nose even falling backward.