Korean ProverbsOne moment is worth more than a thousand gold pieces. Man’s mind changes throughout the course of a day. Anyone who goes hungry for three days will be inclined to steal. The person who has many faults is usually the first to criticize others. Put something off for one day, and ten days will pass. Even though words have no wings, they can still fly a thousand miles. Even if you encounter a stone bridge, tap it first before crossing. Through old things, we learn new things. A great river does not refuse any small streams. The person who knows himself and his opponent will be invincible. Carve a peg only after you have observed the hole. Even children of the same mother look different. To begin is to be half done. Even if the sky falls on you, there is a hole that you can escape from. |
Korea is located between China and Japan. Though it is not large in size, it has a population of over 65 million people. Korean history has its roots in the Choson Kingdom, which started thousands of years ago by Chinese immigrants. Korea has been often split into various kingdoms throughout its history, and has also come under rule by China, Mongolia, and Japan at various times. It became free of Japan in the mid 1900s, but was split into North and South territories, and became subject to a US involved War over Communism. The North and South parts of Korea currently operate under separate governments. The country’s main language is Korean, although English also has a significant presence in South Korea. The Korean language is uniquely different from languages in surrounding countries in Eastern Asia. Themes in Korea include Confucianism, Buddhism, museums, music, dance, theatre, literature (particularly novels), pottery, painting, and communism (in the North). |