殷鑑遠からず
Meanings
1
lessons from history are not far to seek
Proverb meaning that one can learn from recent or nearby historical examples; the warning or model is close at hand. Originates from a Confucian saying about the fall of the Xia dynasty serving as a mirror for the Yin.
As the saying goes, 'lessons from history are not far to seek'; we should learn from past failures.