벼는 익을수록 고개를 숙인다

byeoneun igeulsurok gogaereul suginda

Word for word

“The more rice ripens, the lower it bows its head.”

What it means

The wiser and more accomplished people are, the humbler they become.

When you'd say it

Praising a successful person who stays modest.

Example

그 교수님은 늘 학생 말부터 들어 주셔. 벼는 익을수록 고개를 숙인다잖아.That professor always listens to students first. Ripe rice bows lowest.