1.
good medicine tastes bitter; honest advice is hard to hear
Beneficial medicine is often unpleasant to take, just as truthful advice or constructive criticism can be difficult to accept. What helps us the most may not be comfortable.
良薬口に苦しというから、彼の厳しい指摘も素直に聞こう。
As they say, good medicine tastes bitter, so I'll accept his harsh criticism openly.
先生の言葉は厳しいが、良薬口に苦しだ。
The teacher's words are harsh, but good medicine tastes bitter.
良薬口に苦しで、本当のことを言ってくれる友人は貴重だ。
As the saying goes, good medicine is bitter—a friend who tells you the truth is precious.
ORIGIN: This proverb comes from Chinese (良药苦口), found in classical Chinese texts. It has been used in Japanese for centuries and is well-known.
FULL FORM: The complete version is 良薬は口に苦けれども病に利あり、忠言は耳に逆えども行いに利あり (Good medicine is bitter to the mouth but helps cure illness; honest advice is unpleasant to the ear but benefits one's conduct).
USAGE: Used when accepting or advising someone to accept constructive criticism, uncomfortable truths, or difficult but beneficial measures. Often quoted when someone receives harsh but fair feedback.
ENGLISH EQUIVALENTS:
- A bitter pill to swallow
- The truth hurts
- Tough love