What does the phrase 'hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil' actually mean?

Answer 1

The way I figure it...

Say, growing up, you hear you parents swear a lot.

Chances are, you're going to figure you can swear too. You "speak evil" and pass it on to your friends. Then they say curse words too.

Say, growing up, you see a movie with sex in it.

Chances are, you "speak evil" by telling your friends all about it and pass it on. Then they want to see it too.

I could be wrong, but that's how I always saw it :) So many different situations you could identify this with though.

I'm no expert on this stuff though... and I'm not much for brass monkeys, lol

Anna

Answer 2

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Although it's true origins remain debated, experts on "See no evil, Hear no evil, Speak no evil" still has some ideas pertaining to where it came from. The main guess is that it is derived from a religious phrase, ""If we do not hear, see, or speak evil, we ourselves shall be spared all evil." This religious phrase was put into practice in the form of three monkeys carved, one with its hands over its eyes, one with its hands over its ears, and another with its hands over its mouth, for the Nikko Toshogo Shrine in Japan. This origin is backed up by the Japanese word for monkey being "saru." The popular phrase in Japanese translates to: "mizaru, kikazaru, iwazaru." As can be seen, "saru" is very similar to "zaru." The only question regarding this is that the three wise monkeys aren't Japanese in origin; they actually came from China in the eighth century. Although not known for sure, it is believed that these original monkeys were also carved to represent this age old proverb. So let the debate go on. This is just one of many interesting phrases that people will argue over until the end of time. Even the meaning of it is widely interpreted, ranging from not being nosy and spreading humors to not being in the wrong place at the wrong time. It seems as if people will never agree and will never know exactly where this proverb originated from, but maybe that is a good thing. People need to wonder and question, it is beneficial to the soul. Maybe in the end that's what age old phrases such as this were meant to do!!!.

Answer 3

Hear No Evil See No Evil Speak No Evil

Answer 4

The origins of this phrase are unknown and debated. However, a couple of theories exist. Due to the fact that the saying is typically associated with Three Wise Monkeys (one covering his eyes, one covering his ears, and the third covering his mouth) it is believed that the saying may have its origin in a 17th century temple in Japan.

The Nikkō Tōshō-gū Shrine, in Nikko, Japan has a carving of three wise monkeys. Many scholars believe the monkeys were carved as a visual representation of the religious principle, “If we do not hear, see, or speak evil, we ourselves shall be spared all evil.”

Answer 5

“See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" is a common phrase, usually used to describe someone who doesn’t want to be involved in a situation. But where did the saying originate?

Unfortunately, no one knows for sure how it evolved. Because the saying is typically associated with three monkeys one covering his eyes, one covering his ears, and the other covering his mouth it is believed that the saying may have its origin in a 17th century temple in Japan.

The Nikko Toshogo Shrine, also known as the Sacred Stable, in Japan has a carving of three wise monkeys. Many scholars believe the monkeys were carved as a visual representation of the religious principle, “If we do not hear, see, or speak evil, we ourselves shall be spared all evil."

Others believe that the saying originated from a Japanese play on words. “See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil," translated into Japanese is, “mizaru, kikazaru, iwazaru." The Japanese word for monkey is “saru", and sounds very similar to the verb-ending “zaru". It is easy to see how the saying may have originated from a fun play on words. The only problem with this explanation is that the three wise monkeys aren’t originally from Japan.

In the eighth century A.D. a Buddhist monk from China introduced the three wise monkeys to Japan. They were associated with a fearsome blue-faced deity called Vadjra. It is believed that the monkeys’ gestures were a representation of a command of the deity to “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil."

Just as there is disagreement about the origin of the phrase, there are differing explanations of the meaning of “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil." Some contend that it is a proverb reminding us not to be so snoopy, so nosy, and so gossipy. Others say that it is a warning to stay away from places where immoral acts are taking place. Whatever the origin and meaning of “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil," it is one of the most visual phrases in existence. It’s impossible to hear it spoken without thinking of three wise, but very cute, little monkeys.

Answer 6

Don't surrond yourself with evil things, and only good things can come from this.

Answer 7

I think, is don't do any evil thing and be kind.

Answer 8

It means do not come in contact with evil in any way. It is neither listened to, noticed, nor brought up in conversation.

Answer 9

I don't know, but I think it's a movie.

Answer 10

I would think it means not to listen to gossip, not to look for anything to gossip about and don't spread gossip.