Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Japanese term or phrase:
バカと天才は紙一重
English translation:
It is a fine line that separates the fool from the wiseman
Added to glossary by
Bailatjones
Mar 23, 2006 07:51
18 yrs ago
Japanese term
バカと天才は紙一重
Japanese to English
Art/Literary
Linguistics
What is the best English equivalent for this idiom?
Proposed translations
(English)
Proposed translations
+6
31 mins
Selected
It is a fine line that separates the fool from the wiseman
this isn't an actual proverb I found in English but I've written the translation to read like one...hope this helps
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Note added at 33 mins (2006-03-23 08:25:37 GMT)
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this flows a bit less but...
It is only the slightest of differences that distinguishes the wiseman from the fool (or the fool from the wiseman)
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Note added at 33 mins (2006-03-23 08:25:37 GMT)
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this flows a bit less but...
It is only the slightest of differences that distinguishes the wiseman from the fool (or the fool from the wiseman)
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Hi, I like your translation. Thanks!"
+1
2 hrs
Great wits are sure to madness near allied, / And thin partitions do their bounds divide.
John Dryden; Absalom and Achitophel (1681) pt.1, 1. 150
A bit long and old but nevertheless one way of conveying the meaning.
A bit long and old but nevertheless one way of conveying the meaning.
+1
1 hr
IC --
Specializes in field
There is only one thin line between idiot/fool and genious.
another option
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Note added at 3 hrs (2006-03-23 10:59:54 GMT)
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or
There is only a line as thin as paper between fool qnd genious.
( Less neat for a proverb, but it covers the paper part...)
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Note added at 3 hrs (2006-03-23 10:59:54 GMT)
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or
There is only a line as thin as paper between fool qnd genious.
( Less neat for a proverb, but it covers the paper part...)
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Naikei Wong
: I'm for "genius" because wisdom is more like an age-correlated thing... whereas genius is something more like inborn
1 hr
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Merci!!
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+1
16 hrs
Genius is only one remove from insanity.
Quoted from:http://homepage1.nifty.com/yoshi_2000/REMARK.HTM
The above site is so interesting that I want to introduce it to many people.
The above site is so interesting that I want to introduce it to many people.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
KathyT
: Nice site! I like the above but "remove" sounds a bit unnatural. I'd replace "one remove" with "one step away"... (-:
4 hrs
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