The reputation of a thousand years may be determined by the conduct of one hour.
More Japanese Proverbs:
Money has no ears but it hears; no legs but it walks.Japanese
Don't scratch your shoe when it's your foot that itches.
Japanese
A statement once let loose cannot be caught by four horses.
Japanese
Walls have ears, paper sliding doors have eyes.
Japanese
Even dust amassed will grow into a mountain.
Japanese
Fallen blossom doesn't return to the branch.
Japanese