JLPT N1Proverbs
鶏口となるも牛後となるなかれ
- Meaning
- 大きな組織の末端よりも、小さな組織でも頭になる方がよい
- Explanation
- It means: even if you become the beak (head) of a chicken, do not become the tail (rear) of a cow. It is a teaching that it is better to be independent as a leader, even of something small, than to be in a position of following others in a large organization. It is the value diametrically opposed to c1, which recommends being a member of a large organization as safe.
Original Japanese explanation
鶏のくちばし(頭)になっても、牛の尻(末端)にはなるな、の意。大組織で人に従う立場でいるより、小さくても長として独立する方がよいという教え。大組織の一員を安全だと勧める c1 とは正反対の価値観です。
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