良りょう禽きんは木きを択えらんで棲すむ

expression, godan verb (-mu)

a wise person chooses a good master to serve

Proverb meaning that a capable person selects a worthy leader or environment. The literal image is of a wise bird choosing a good tree to roost in.

• 「良りょう禽きんは木きを択えらんで棲すむ」というように、有ゆう能のうな人ひとほど仕つかえる相あい手てを慎しん重ちょうに選えらぶものだ。

  As the proverb goes, 'A wise bird chooses a good tree to roost in' — the more capable a person is, the more carefully they choose whom to serve.