燕雀安えんじゃくいずくんぞ鴻鵠こうこくの志こころざしを知しらんや

expression

only a hero can understand a hero; small minds cannot grasp great ambitions

A classical proverb meaning that ordinary people cannot understand the aspirations of great individuals. The literal image is that swallows and sparrows cannot comprehend the ambitions of phoenixes and swans. Used in literary or formal contexts to express that greatness is beyond the understanding of the mediocre.

See also: 燕雀鴻鵠

• 燕えん雀じゃく安いずくんぞ鴻こう鵠こくの志こころざしを知しらんやというが、彼かれの壮そう大だいな計けい画かくは周しゅう囲いには理り解かいされなかった。

  As the saying goes, 'only a hero can understand a hero'; his grand plan was not understood by those around him.