Too Many Accomplishments Make No Accomplishments

The Japanese proverb 多芸は無芸 meaning "Too Many Accomplishments Make No Accomplishments" is composed of the words |tagei,多芸 many arts (read meaning "versatility" (literally "many techniques)wa,は and (read which indicates the previous word is the subject)mugei,無芸| meaning "no accomplishments".

Daniel Crump Buchanan on page 180 of his book JAPANESE PROVERBS AND SAYINGS writes "If you have too many hobbies you will be master of none. English parallel: Jack of all trades and master of none." This is repeated by David Galef on page 50 of Even Monkeys Fall from Trees: The Wit and Wisdom of Japanese Proverbs (Vol 1) and by Edward Trimnell on page 138 of his book Tigers, Devils, and Fools: A Guide to Japanese Proverbs writes "This proverb encourages people to focus on one thing ...".