“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.
» left by James from Canada (4 years 53 days ago.)
Its from the bible that says see no evil , hear no evil , speak no evil. Speak can be switched with do in other versions. Not some japan monkey. Respond to this comment
» left by Damian Myler from San Francisco (1 year 50 days ago.)
where do you find this in the bible - I see Isaiah 42:19 talks about seeing but paying no attention (to evil is the inference) likewise you hear but do the same, the bible in many other parts talks about the tongue, as in Job 27:4 - my lips will no t speak wickedness, and my tongue will utter no deceit. So I can say the saying is consistent with the bible. It is important to note that the bible is a deep spiritual book that is opened in conjunction with leading of God's spirit. And many of the saying in the Bible are double entendre's, so what is the second point or meaning. Well much of the world is blinded to the truth of God, by God himself through an instrument he created Satan - Isa 54:16 - See, it is I who created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its work. And it is I who have created the destroyer to work havoc; Mt 13:13 - This is why I speak to them in parables: "Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing , they do not hear or understand . -DPM
» left by Jdawg from FL (3 years 336 days ago.)
Yep, while it's not word for word in the Bible the general idea that states you must change the oil in your car every 3000 miles is there too.... right? :) Respond to this comment
» left by Anonymous (1 year 9 days ago.)
the monkies are older than the bible.
» left by tom soto from Austin, TX (3 years 293 days ago.)
Isaiah ch33, v15 and following comes pretty close espousing-- practicing virtue, speaking honestly, stopping the ears, lest hearing evil and closing the eyes, lest looking on evil. A fourth monkey could be added brushing his hands of evil doing. Respond to this comment
» left by Anonymous (308 days 19 hours ago.)
if a monkey can see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil than what evil would he be brushing off ?
» left by John from California (97 days 17 hours ago.)
To the anonymous responder: Your cowardice reveals itself in your responding anonymously (don't bother coming back with a name now...too late). Your ignorance is revealed in making a comment that monkeys are older than the Bible. The age of existence of a referenced object in an historical account being greater than that of the authoring date of said historical account is mute. I would venture an educated opinion that you are a college educated idiot, thinking yourself wise, but dying in your own deceit. Or, and this more likely, your are just that... an uneducated idiot who thinks him/herself wiser than all. The Bible, whether or not you choose to believe in it, that it is what it is espoused to be, believe what it contains, or not matters little. Truth is truth. But not just anything that anyone calls truth. Only that which is actually prove truth. The Bible is the oldest recorded history in the world, recording of man writing, and the most accurate. The claims by scholars and historians to have found writings older than the Bible... seriously... please, lets all see the lies for what they are. Fact...there are no older writing than the bible texts. Instead of listening to and believing only that that which fits into your agenda... seek truth, for yourself.
The Bible will not give you reference to oil changes, it will not give you passages that condone homosexuality as some have suggested, etc. In fact, it will warn you that people will twist and torture it in order to gain "permission" for their sin.
I am NOT politically correct. I am not called to sugar coat things. I am the least among you all and a sinner. But I know lies and manipulation when I see it. I know ignorance when it is before my eyes. I know that the three main objectives of satan are to 1. undermine the family 2. cause doubt of that which it truth and 3. try and make people believe he really does not exist.
The saying of See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil... is straight from the Bible and paraphrased by man, as are ALL of the popular saying today regarding wisdom and living right... and warnings of evil and so forth.
I fear not your responses. There is not a man that walks this earth that intimidates me or that I fear.... not one. There is nothing you can say to me or about me that will affect my day.
I pity you the fool, for you are in danger of the final judgment of God wherein iniquity shall forever be destroyed (all that attached to it) and it shall never rise again.
Now, I know what I expect from you... I believe I know how you will react and what you will say. Funny, when you do...and you will, because the one main drive in your life...is PRIDE.... you will only serve to prove... not me right... although in a small sense yes...but you will only serve to prove that God...has always been, presently is, and always shall be...right.
To those of you who wrote that it comes from the Bible... keep seeking the truth. For if you know the Truth...the Truth shall MAKE...not set... you free.
God bless you my anonymous foolish coward. I don't hate you, nor am I even concerned with you...save your destiny. Choose you this day whom you shall serve. Seek the Lord while He may be found...because when the breath leaves your lungs for the last time on this earth...what ever choice you made... is final. God will honor your choice.
what a hypocritical and delusional individual, so self-righteous and lost in the pride of your theology that you forget the Bible tells you to be humble in the spreading of the gospel... and no way it is the oldest "written" history, think of other civilizations; history doesn't revolve around the Bible, try practicing indifference and humility
» left by Christoffer from Norway (1 year 54 days ago.)
Actually, the Norwegian black metal band "Dimmu Borgir" (meaning "dark castles), has this phrase in theyr son "burn in Hell" :P It's a part of the chorus ^^ Respond to this comment
» left by Christoffer from Norway (1 year 54 days ago.)
Edit: "Their song"
sorry 'bout that :P Respond to this comment
I enjoy reading about where things originate, very interesting piece thank you. Meanwhile I read once that circumsision (unrelated sorry) originated in Egypt and was practiced as a form of snake worship. Shedding their 'skin' just like a snake.
» left by Apollyon from Philly (242 days 13 hours ago.)
The origins of the three monkies have nothing to do with what htey represent- it is a warning to NOT BECOME LIKE these MONKIES
Imagine thse 3 monkies- watching a 4th monkey being beaten- what type of report would they give the police
Once cannot see so he will tell what was heard
One cannot speak so he cannot say anything
one cannot hear but can see and speak so he can say what he saw, if he could only hear the question or the details of what happened or who started what
The three monkeys are what happens to man as he grows into the ladders of society and builds walls between himself and his community- no one monkey is better off than the other (rock paper scissors) but togther, they make a 4th monkey with no ailments or hanidcaps- Check urslef before u wreck urself
great discussion, we are forgetting that in Japanese folk law, the monkeys that see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil, are supposed to stop sanshi and ten nei ( i think) which are worms in everyones body, from noticing any evil present in anyones body, therefore the person will be seen as good and will leave life and go to heaven.
im getting a tattoo of this, not decided if its gonna be monkeys or not, but the meaning for me is, if i carry this message on my body, then it can help me forget the evil i may have spoke, heard and seen throughout my life. perhaps i also want it to remind others that evil is forever present and that they should pay attention to it around them rather than being blind to it.
» left by Brian, born again from Zeerust, North West, RSA (136 days 8 hours ago.)
The origin of this phrase is no matter. What matters the most is that we must learn the truth and walk in it. God can not be symbolised with anything, whether images, portrays or objects, thus we know that there are 3 witness but 1 in heaven. God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Someone out the is trying to deceive people with such things as the 3 wise monkeys. For further studies, consult your bible on Psalm1:1, John16. God bless you and stay away from the worldly philosophy. Remember: those who observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy
If God is that the Father and God is the Son, does that mean that God's mother is also his wife? I think this "Father Son Holy Ghost" business represents the Shark Jump in Christianity, where in trying to make sense, the rationale has actually disintegrated.
It is silly to ascribe a neo-Christian judgment to Japanese mythology.
» left by Anne from Beaverton, OR (8 days 6 hours ago.)
You can't rationalize God. We don't have to try and make sense of Him. He explains and shows Himself all on His own. But you have to have faith first. If you expect Him to prove that He is alive and real, He won't. When you have whole-hearted faith that God exists, it is then that He shows Himself to you.
God the Father is God in Heaven. He created the Heavens and the earth, etc.
God the Son is God living in flesh and blood, to "humanize" himself so that His people can relate to Him - He became flesh, so that He could die for us and remove us from sin.
And God the Spirit, is God in us. The Holy Spirit lives in us and creates us as a new person, and guides us through our Christian life. In this way, we are in Him, and He is in us. Think of it as if you are in a swimming pool, and you drink some of the water. You are in the pool, and the pool is in you.
God doesn't have a mother, He just is. And He doesn't have a wife. He impregnated Mary through His Holy Spirit. But since Mary was His child, you could technically say that Jesus' mother was His sister. But if you and your husband are children of God, then you two are also brother and sister.
So as a woman, Ann, I'm a bit appalled as I am by all women who buy into this idea that the three faces of God are all male. Where is your face in this? Or but you are a lowly woman, a worm of the dust?
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