雉きじも鳴なかずば撃うたれまい

expression

silence prevents trouble; there is safety in silence

Proverb warning that speaking unnecessarily can bring harm upon oneself, just as a pheasant gets shot because of its cry. Often used to advise discretion.

• あの場ばで余よ計けいなことを言いわなければよかった。雉きじも鳴なかずば撃うたれまいだ。

  I shouldn't have said unnecessary things there. Silence would have kept me safe.

• 上じょう司しに文もん句くを言いったら左さ遷せんされた。雉きじも鳴なかずば撃うたれまいとはこのことだ。

  I complained to my boss and got demoted. This is exactly a case of 'the pheasant would not be shot but for its cries.'