燕えん雀じゃく鴻こう鵠こく

expression

a small person cannot understand a great person's ambitions

A yojijukugo proverb meaning that a petty person cannot comprehend the grand aspirations of a hero. Often used to express that only a great person can recognize another's greatness.

• 燕えん雀じゃく鴻こう鵠こくとは、小しょう人じん物ぶつには大だい人じん物ぶつの志こころざしがわからないという意い味みだ。

  燕雀鴻鵠 means that a small-minded person cannot understand the ambitions of a great person.