上戸は毒を知らず下戸は薬を知らず じょうごはどくをしらずげこはくすりをしらず Meanings Expression drinkers drink too much (and harm themselves in the process), nondrinkers drink too little (and miss out on the medicinal benefits of alcohol) Kanji 上 up. Read as ジョウ. 戸 door 毒 poison. Read as ドク. 知 know. Read as しる. 下 down 薬 drug. Read as くすり. Word lists Proverbs Jinuma: Japanese Dictionary · Word lists