玉磨かざれば光なし

たまみがかざればひかりなし

Meanings

1. Expression success does not come from talent alone (literally: an uncut gem does not sparkle)

Kanji

• 玉 ball. Read as たま.
• 磨 polish. Read as みがく.
• 光 light. Read as ひかり.

Word lists

• Proverbs

Jinuma: Japanese Dictionary · Word lists