spare the rod and spoil the child; let your darling child travel
Proverb meaning that if you love your children, you should let them experience hardships and the world, rather than overprotecting them. The literal meaning is 'let your beloved child travel'.
They say 'spare the rod and spoil the child,' so I decided to let my child go abroad alone.
The parents raised their child strictly, in the spirit of 'let your darling child travel.'
A similar proverb about tough love, literally 'the lion drops its cub,' meaning to subject one's child to hardships for their own good.
Mixed kanji-kana spelling; the most common written form.
Full kanji spelling; less common but still seen.
A traditional Japanese proverb. The exact origin is uncertain, but it reflects a common cultural value of learning through experience.