143Japanese proverb ことわざ
二階から目薬
にかいからめぐすりNikai kara megusuri
“Eye drops from the second floor.”
The meaning
Helping from too far, by roundabout means, relieves no one. Good help is given at the right distance, through the right channel.
At the origin
An Edo image for efforts ineffective because misdirected.
The characters
- 二階 nikaisecond floor
- から karafrom
- 目薬
からParticle“From, starting at” — the origin; sometimes “because”.
In practice
Before helping, ask what would truly help — and come closer.