将を射んと欲すれば先ず馬を射よ
しょうをいんとほっすればまずうまをいよ
Meanings
- Expression do not shoot straight for the top; he that would the daughter win, must with the mother first begin (literally: if you want to shoot the general, first shoot his horse)
Kanji
- 将 commander. Read as ショウ.
- 射 shoot. Read as いる.
- 欲 want. Read as ほっする.
- 先 ahead. Read as まず.
- 馬 horse. Read as うま.