275Japanese proverb ことわざ
長い物には巻かれろ
ながいものにはまかれろNagai mono ni wa makarero
“Let yourself be wrapped by what is longer than you.”
The meaning
Facing the more powerful, bending can preserve the essential. The proverb states a real prudence — which full wisdom tempers: knowing how to bend, yes; knowing also when not to.
At the origin
A proverb of social prudence, much debated in Japan itself.
The characters
In practice
Sort the battles to bend in from the battles to hold — and name yours.