遠とおきは花はなの香か近ちかきは糞くその香か

expression

the grass is always greener on the other side; far away things seem better

Proverb meaning distant things seem appealing while nearby things seem unpleasant. Literally: 'far away smells of flowers; close up smells of dung'.

• 遠とおきは花はなの香か近ちかきは糞くその香かというから、隣となりの芝しば生ふが青あおく見みえるのも無む理りはない。

  As the proverb goes, 'far away smells of flowers; close up smells of dung,' so it's no wonder the grass looks greener on the other side.