JLPT N2Proverbs
虻蜂取らず
- Meaning
- 二つを欲張ろうとしてどちらも得られないこと
- Explanation
- "虻蜂取らず" is a metaphor for being greedy and going after two things at the same time, and in the end getting neither. It is different from the teaching "cherish even a small profit"; it is a saying that warns against the failure of being too greedy.
Original Japanese explanation
「虻蜂取らず」は、二つのものを同時に欲張って、結局どちらも手に入れられないことのたとえです。「小さな利益でも大事にせよ」という教えとは別物で、欲張りすぎの失敗を戒める言葉です。
Quick check
Choose the most appropriate meaning expressed by "虻蜂取らず".
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