029Japanese proverb ことわざ
能ある鷹は爪を隠す
のうあるたかはつめをかくすNō aru taka wa tsume o kakusu
“The skilled hawk hides its talons.”
The meaning
Real strength does not need display. Those who know do not parade it; they act when needed, and that is all.
At the origin
A traditional proverb praising the modesty of the truly capable.
The characters
- 能 nōskill
- ある aruhaving
- 鷹 takahawk
- は
- 爪
- を
- 隠す
In practice
Let your results speak in your place.