二兎を追う者は一兎をも得ず。(nitou wo ou mono ha itto wo
mo ezu).
If you try to chase two rabbits at once. You will fail to catch both.
If you try to accomplish two things at once, you will fail at accomplishing either.
This proverb can be easily comprehended without any need of context or knowledge of Japanese culture. It is true however that rabbits or hares do have significant meaning within Japanese culture this proverb does not utilize the the cultural aspect of the rabbit and would easily retain it's meaning if another animal were to replace the rabbit.
Example:
Jirou's Mother is scolding Jirou for not doing his homework.
Mother:じろう、さっさと宿題をしなさい。
(jirou, sassato shiyukudai shinasai.)
Jirou:大丈夫だよ。ゲームしながら宿題できるから。
(daijiyoubu da to. ge-mu shinagara shiyukudai dekirukara.)
Mother:二兎を追う者は一兎をも得ずよ、じろうくん。宿題もちゃんとできなくて、ゲームも楽しめないよ。
(nito wo ou mono ha itto wo mo ezuyo, jiroukunnn. shiyukudai mo chiyannto dekinakute, geemu mo tanoshimenaiyo.)
Translation:
Mother: Jirou, do your homework already!
Jirou: Don't worry. I'll just do my homework while I play games.
Mother: If you try to chase two rabbits, you will fail at catching either one. You won't be able to do your homework correctly and you won't enjoy your game.
