가는 말이 고와야 오는 말이 곱다
ganeun mari gowaya oneun mari gopda · Only if the words that go out are kind will the words that come back be kind.
Speak nicely and you'll be spoken to nicely.
When to useWhen someone complains about rude replies after being rude first.
Think ofWhat goes around comes around.
Examples
너도 좀 부드럽게 말해 봐. 가는 말이 고와야 오는 말이 곱지.
Try saying it gently — kind words out, kind words back.