Better to ask and be embarrassed than not ask and never know
Proverb encouraging people to ask questions even at the risk of momentary embarrassment, because the ignorance from not asking lasts forever.
As the saying goes, 'Better to ask and be embarrassed than not ask and never know,' so you should ask right away about things you don't understand.
A traditional Japanese proverb. The exact origin is uncertain, but it reflects a common didactic theme in Japanese and other cultures.