Tatsu Tori Ato-wo Nigosazu (立つ鳥跡を濁さず）
[Vocaburary]
Tatsu (立つ／たつ): Leaving
Tori (鳥／とり): Birds
Ato (跡／あと): Marks; Traces; Evidence
Nigosazu (濁さず／にごさず): Not soiling; Not leaving stains behind
[Literal Translation]
Even birds clean up their mess before they leave.
[Translation]
It is an ill bird that fouls its own nest.
[Comment]
In Japanese, the word, Tatsu (Leaving), can be interpreted in many ways, such as “taking off,” “start out new,” “moving to another job or place,” “leaving this world,” and so on. So, this proverb teaches you to “clean up the mess you made so you wouldn’t look back and regret about it before you leave.” Very traditional Japanese way to live.
