044Japanese proverb ことわざ
医者の不養生
いしゃのふようじょうIsha no fuyōjō
“The doctor neglects his own health.”
The meaning
Knowing is not doing. We advise better than we apply — a reminder for everyone, starting with experts.
At the origin
A mischievous proverb in the same spirit as "the shoemaker's children go barefoot".
The characters
- 医者 ishadoctor
- の noof (link)
- 不養生
のParticleLinks two words: possession or belonging, like “of”.
In practice
Apply to yourself the first advice you give others.
Themes
Similar proverbs
- 118 腹八分目に医者いらず A stomach eight-tenths full needs no doctor.
- 042 鳶が鷹を生む A kite can give birth to a hawk.
- 173 正直は一生の宝 Honesty is the treasure of a lifetime.
- 200 人の一生は重荷を負うて遠き道を行くが如し A man's life is a long road walked under a burden; there is no need to hurry.
- 040 二兎を追う者は一兎をも得ず He who chases two hares catches neither.