JLPT N1Proverbs
他山の石
- Meaning
- 他人の悪い言行も自分の修養の助けにできる
- Explanation
- From the idea that even a coarse stone from another mountain can help polish one's own gem, it means that even another person's bad words or actions can serve as a reference for one's own self-cultivation. As a note of caution, it originally targets another person's "bad" points; using it for a fine example (good conduct) is a misuse.
Original Japanese explanation
よその山の粗末な石でも自分の玉を磨くのに役立つことから、他人のよくない言動でも自分の修養の参考にできるという意味。注意点として、本来は他人の「悪い」点が対象で、立派な手本(良い行い)に対して使うのは誤用です。
Quick check
Please choose the most appropriate meaning expressed by 「他山の石」.
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