152Japanese proverb ことわざ
玉磨かざれば光なし
たまみがかざればひかりなしTama migakazareba hikari nashi
“Unpolished jade does not shine.”
The meaning
Raw talent is not enough: without work it remains a stone among stones. It is polishing — study, practice, correction — that brings out the light.
At the origin
A maxim inherited from the Book of Rites, very present in Japanese education.
The characters
In practice
Your natural gift: give it its daily hour of polishing.
Editorial note
Classical Chinese origin (Book of Rites).