The nail that sticks out gets hammered down
Meaning: Conformity protects individuals; standing apart invites suppression or punishment from society.
Origin: A Japanese proverb, deru kui wa utareru (出る杭は打たれる) — literally, the stake that sticks out gets hammered. It expresses the pressure to conform rather than stand out, and is the opposite of the Western "the squeaky wheel gets the grease."
More proverbs about Wisdom
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- The revolution will not be televised — Authentic social change emerges from grassroots action, not passive consumption of media…
- The shoemaker's children go barefoot — Those who possess expertise often neglect applying it to their own household's needs.
- The whistle doesn't pull the train — Mere noise and commotion accomplish nothing; only genuine effort and power move things fo…
From our compliments & insults
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- Che piagnucolone — A relentless crybaby who finds something to complain about in every situation.
- È un orso — Gruff, anti-social, and impossible to approach — they growl when spoken to and hibernate…