From the Martial Arts Discussion thread:
Quote Originally Posted by Sam View Post
There is a Chinese saying regarding hiding one's true skills... "The real man never gives himself away". I am sure the Japanese have a similar saying.
実るほど頭のさがる稲穂かな ("Minoru hodo kobe no sagaru inahokana"= "The mature rice plant lowers its head."; i.e. at full ripeness/maturity, the top of the rice plant becomes so heavy that it pulls the top of the plant toward the ground like a person bowing - the idea being that the more wisdom one acquires, one's head is filled with humility, i.e. with maturity comes humility and respect for others.

Some translate it as "the boughs that bear the most hangs lowest."