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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.
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