こう
 
せっ
せい
 
 
 

expression

Proverb.
  1. better shoddy and sincere than clever and deceptive.

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
こう
 
せっ
せい
 
 
 
巧詐は拙誠に如かず こうさはせっせいにしかず

Contained Kanji Breakdown

adroit, skilled, ingenuity
コウ たく.み うま.い (Late Jr. High, N1)
craft, construction, katakana e radical (no. 48)
コウ ク もく (2nd, N4)
obstruction of breath (qi) as it seeks release, variant of other characters
コウ さまた.げられる
lie, falsehood, deceive
サ いつわ.る (Early High School, N1)
say, word
い.う こと ゲン (2nd, N4)
dot, tick or dot radical (no. 3)
チュ (Kentei 1)
one, one radical (no.1)
イチ いっ ひと- (1st, N5)
mouth
くち コウ ク (1st, N4)
though, notwithstanding, while
サ サク -なが.ら (Kentei Pre-1)
bungling, clumsy, unskillful
セツ つたな.い (Early High School, N1)
hand, hand radical (no. 64)
シュ
exit, leave, go out
で.る だ.す シュツ (1st, N5)
mountain
やま サン セン (1st, N5)
sincerity, admonish, warn
まこと セイ きよ (6th, N1)
say, word
い.う こと ゲン (2nd, N4)
dot, tick or dot radical (no. 3)
チュ (Kentei 1)
one, one radical (no.1)
イチ いっ ひと- (1st, N5)
mouth
くち コウ ク (1st, N4)
turn into, become, get
セイ な.る ジョウ (4th, N3)
5th calendar sign
つちのえ ボ ボウ (Kentei Pre-1)
katakana no radical (no. 4)
ヘツ えい よう (Kentei 1)
halberd, arms, festival car
ほこ カ ほこづくり (Kentei 1)
piling, ceremony radical (no. 56)
ヨク いぐるみ (Kentei 1)
hooked enclosure
likeness, like, such as
ごと.し ジョ ニョ (Late Jr. High, N1)
woman, female
ジョ おんな め (1st, N5)
mouth
くち コウ ク (1st, N4)