Illustration of two boys angrily arguing face to face, pointing fingers at each other with expressive emotions

What You Say Comes Back: A Korean Proverb Explained in English

The Korean proverb “가는 말이 고와야 오는 말이 곱다” rests on a simple observation: words travel in both directions.If what you send out is gentle, what comes back is likely to be the same. At first glance, it sounds like advice about manners. Speak politely, and others will respond politely. But in daily Korean life,