Korean Proverb Series 90
If Things Go Wrong, People Blame Their Ancestors
“안 되면 조상 탓 된다”
(An doemyeon josang tat doenda)
🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core Meaning
The Korean proverb “안 되면 조상 탓 된다” literally means
“If something doesn’t work out, people blame their ancestors.”
It humorously criticizes the human tendency
to shift responsibility away from oneself when things go wrong.
Instead of acknowledging mistakes or limitations,
some people look for distant excuses or external causes.
The proverb reflects a cultural awareness that
true growth begins when we accept responsibility for our actions.
🪄 2. Meaning & Key Lesson
▪️ Blaming others does not solve problems.
▪️ Responsibility leads to improvement.
▪️ Honest self-reflection creates real progress.
The saying reminds us that
success and failure both require accountability.
👀 3. Real-Life Applications
▪️ A student fails an exam but blames the teacher instead of studying harder.
▪️ A business project fails, yet people blame circumstances rather than poor planning.
▪️ In everyday life, excuses sometimes replace honest reflection.
This proverb encourages maturity —
growth begins when we look inward first.
🌏 4. Similar Proverbs Around the World
▪️ United States — “A bad workman blames his tools.”
→ People blame others instead of admitting their own faults.
▪️ United Kingdom — “Excuses are the nails used to build a house of failure.”
▪️ China — “怨天尤人 (Yuàn tiān yóu rén).”
→ Blaming heaven and others for one’s misfortune.
▪️ Japan — “人のせいにする (Hito no sei ni suru).”
→ Blaming others for one’s own mistakes.
Across cultures, people recognize that
responsibility is the first step toward improvement.
💬 A Warm Saying
“Growth begins the moment we stop blaming and start learning.”
📌 Note
This is a creative cultural content from the Misojieum Story Blog (kor-telling.com).
Please do not copy without permission. Sharing is welcome with proper source citation.
More Korean Proverbs
Explore more traditional Korean sayings here:
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