1.
even experts make mistakes; even the skilled slip up; even Homer nods
A proverb meaning that even a master of a craft can make an occasional mistake. Literally, 'even Kobo Daishi makes brush errors,' referring to the famed calligrapher-monk Kukai (Kobo Daishi).
弘法も筆の誤りだね。
Even experts make mistakes, I guess.
ベテランの彼がミスをするとは、弘法も筆の誤りだ。
For a veteran like him to make a mistake — well, even the skilled slip up.
名人でも失敗することがある。弘法も筆の誤りというものだ。
Even a master can fail sometimes. As they say, even Homer nods.
A well-known proverb. 弘法 refers to 弘法大師 (Kobo Daishi), the posthumous name of the monk 空海, revered as one of Japan's greatest calligraphers. The point is that even such a master occasionally makes an error with the brush.
USAGE:
Used to comment forgivingly on an unexpected mistake by a skilled or experienced person — including oneself, with a touch of modesty or excuse.
SIMILAR PROVERBS:
- 河童の川流れ: even a kappa gets swept down the river
- 猿も木から落ちる: even monkeys fall from trees
Related Words
See also:
河童の川流れ (synonymous proverb)