Caveat: 목구멍이 포도청이다

목구멍이      포도청이다
throat-SUBJ police-bureau-IS
The throat is the police.
I guess 포도청 (捕盜廳) was a name for the police bureau in Joseon times. So one is saying that the throat (gullet, i.e. appetite?) is the police bureau. I can see how this could lead to a translation as “Desperation recognizes no law” and even “The devil dances in an empty pocket.” The law of hunger overrides other laws.

Caveat: The Price of Lateness

"Teacher, why are you so late to class?"

I was indeed late. I had accidentally looked at an old class schedule, instead of the most recent, and I had somehow vacated my mind of the fact I'd been switched on Wednesdays, to one hour earlier for this particular cohort of kids.

"You're very late," another said.

"I know," I said. "Sorry."

"You should pay us a dollar because of coming late," a student suggested. This proved a popular idea.

"Really? I have to pay you for being late?" I asked, in mock surprise. "Each of you? Really?"

"Yesss," they rallied.

I paid them.

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