honey is sweet, but the bee stings; there's no rose without a thorn
Proverb expressing the dilemma of wanting something desirable but fearing the associated risk. Literally: 'I want to eat fugu, but I value my life.'
See also: フグ
As the proverb goes, 'honey is sweet, but the bee stings' — people tend to avoid danger even when they desire something.
This proverb emphasizes the necessity of taking risks to achieve something, whereas ふぐは食いたし命は惜しし focuses on the hesitation and fear of risk.
A traditional Japanese proverb. The exact origin is uncertain, but it reflects the historical danger of eating fugu (pufferfish), which can be lethally poisonous if prepared incorrectly.