Explaining “See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil”

What does it mean?

The phrase "See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" refers to a proverb and pictorial maxim that encourages people to ignore and avoid acknowledging bad behavior or wrongdoing. It suggests that by refusing to recognize or engage with evil, one can maintain peace and virtue.

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Origin

The phrase originates from a depiction of the Three Wise Monkeys, a visual motif that is derived from a 17th-century carving over a door of the famous Tōshō-gū shrine in Nikkō, Japan. The monkeys" names are Mizaru (see no evil), Kikazaru (hear no evil), and Iwazaru (speak no evil).