posted August 27, 2006 06:41 PM
"¡°See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil¡±''' is a common phrase, usually used to describe someone who doesn't want to be involved in a situation or someone [[turn a blind eye|turning a willful blind eye]] to the immorality of an act he is involved in. Sometimes, a fourth component "do no evil" is added to the phrase.==Origins==
The origins of this phrase are unknown and debated. However, one popular theory exists. Due to the fact that the saying is typically associated with [[Three Wise Monkeys]] (one covering his eyes, one covering his ears, and the third covering his mouth) it is believed that the saying may have its origin in a 17th century temple in [[Japan]].
The [[Nikko Toshogu]] Shrine, also known as the Sacred Stable, in Japan has a carving of three wise monkeys. Many scholars believe the monkeys were carved as a visual representation of the religious principle, ¡°If we do not hear, see, or speak evil, we ourselves shall be spared all evil.¡±
The monkeys originated from a Japanese play on words. ¡°See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil,¡± translated into Japanese is, ¡°mizaru, kikazaru, iwazaru.¡±(ÒŠ¤¶¤ë¡¢Â„¤«¤¶¤ë¡¢ÑԤ虜¤ë) The Japanese word for monkey is ¡°saru¡±, and sounds very similar to the verb-ending ¡°zaru¡±. Therefore, it is evident how the monkeys may have originated from what one would see as an amusing play on words.
There is criticism of the Japanese-origin theory¡ªmainly because the Three Wise Monkeys do not originate from Japan.
In the eighth century A.D. a [[Buddhist]] monk from [[China]] introduced the three wise monkeys to Japan. They were associated with the deity [[Vajra]]. It is believed that the monkeys¡¯ gestures were a representation of a command of the deity to ¡°see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.¡± However, some disagree with this criticism by claiming the China's cultural impact surely would have integrated with Japan, thus the Japanese version would spring from the earlier, more primitive one resulting in it being in fact, Japanese.
In China, however, a similar phrase exists in the ''[[Analects of Confucius]]'': "Look not at what is contrary to propriety; listen not to what is contrary to propriety; speak not what is contrary to propriety; make no movement which is contrary to propriety." (·Ç¶YÎðÒ•£¬·Ç¶YÎ𠣬·Ç¶YÎðÑÔ£¬·Ç¶YÎð„Ó) One could argue that the phrase was brought into Japan, was altered for simplicity, and became "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil, do no evil".
Just as there is disagreement about the origin of the phrase, there are differing explanations of the meaning of ¡°see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.¡± Some contend that it is a proverb serving as a reminder not to be so snoopy, so nosy, and so gossipy. Others say that it is a warning to stay away from places where [[immoral]] acts are taking place. Whatever the origin and meaning of ¡°see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil,¡± it is one of the most visual phrases in existence. For many it is difficult, especially in the western world, to not visually associate The Three Wise Monkeys with the mentioned phrase."
(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/See_no_evil%2C_hear_no_evil%2C_speak_no_evil