Quotations

Proverb

β€œ

The water upstream must be clear for downstream water to be clear.

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

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A river flowing around smooth stones beneath a willow at sunset.
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What does this proverb mean?

Those with responsibility set conditions and examples that affect others.

Sources and attribution

Unattributed Traditional proverb; individual author and earliest use unknown.

Source: National Institute of Korean Language β€” Korean Language Education Vocabulary Development (Stage 2) , National Institute of Korean Language β€” Korean Language Education Vocabulary Development (Stage 2), pp. 185–186

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.

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