Day: July 17, 2017

Caveat: 나를 칭찬하는 자는 나의 원수

한국말을 배움 (Failing to Learn Korean) / 한국어 속담 (Aphorisms & Proverbs)

I learned this aphorism from my book of aphorisms.

나를 칭찬하는 자는 나의 원수
na.reul ching.chan.ha.neun ja.neun na.ui won.su
I-OBJ praise-PRESPART person-TOPIC I-GEN enemy
A person who praises me [is] my enemy.

Beware of those who offer praise. This is a fairly universal sentiment for aphorisms. I had some difficulty with the word 자(者) because several dictionaries I checked didn’t make clear the meaning “person.” This single polysemous syllable has half a dozen unrelated meanings (derived from different Chinese borrowings). Once I found a dictionary that included this meaning, I remembered running across it before – I guess it’s kind of an archaic term, but pops up in aphorisms and fossilized phrases a lot.
“Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” – Luke 6:26
[daily log: walking, 7km]

Caveat: Random Poem #50

A Daily Poem / Book 1 / Englyn / My Poetry & Fiction

(Poem #351 on new numbering scheme)

The two men fought in the wood.
Winter's breath made clouds. They stood
facing. The fight was no good.
A rose appeared in the snow.
Then another drop fell, slow -
from the wound his blood did flow.
He threw his knife to the ground
and wobbled, spinning around.
At last, he fell without a sound.

– three englyn milwr, telling a little story.

Back to Top