I'm looking for a saying that explains that A and B aren't better or worse,
they are simply different. More specifically, that a Japanese way of doing
things isn't better or worse [than a western one], but for me [a westerner]
doing it the Japanese way will be worse, because I've been educated in such a
different manner that it would be like "trying to force a square through a
circle".

Any takers?
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-16T01:37:16.723
38489
2016-08-19T20:26:10.627
17520
question
translation idioms
Saying or Idiom for 'trying to force a square through a circle'
How about...

「[木]{き}に[竹]{たけ}を[接]{つ}ぐ」?

> It would be like "trying to force a square through a circle".  
>  「まるで、木に竹を接ぐようなものだ。」

Sources:  
[英辞郎 "square peg in a round
hole"](http://eow.alc.co.jp/search?q=square+peg+in+a+round+hole)  
[故事ことわざ辞典「木に竹を接ぐ」](https://kotobank.jp/word/%E6%9C%A8%E3%81%AB%E7%AB%B9%E3%82%92%E6%8E%A5%E3%81%90-471827)
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-16T13:50:24.280
38506
2016-08-16T13:50:24.280
9831
38489
answer
```

            We need a [Proverb] tag!
    
```

I can't think of a nice, colorful Jp expression for [ A and B aren't better or
worse, they are simply different.] -- like comparing apples and oranges.

比較のしょうがない

比較してもしょうがない

* * *

<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Square_peg_in_a_round_hole> "Square peg in a
round hole" is an idiomatic expression which describes the unusual
individualist who could not fit into a niche of his or her society.

As for an [eccentric maverick], I can't think of a colorful Jp expression or
proverb either.

<http://eow.alc.co.jp/search?q=maverick>

> maverick figure 《a ～》 型破りな［わが道を行くタイプの］人物
>
> 異端児 一匹オオカミ 独立独行の、型破りの
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-16T19:21:52.950
38513
2016-08-16T19:21:52.950
16344
38489
answer
We have an established saying, "丸を四角に言いくるめる," which can be literally
translated as "(try to) pursuade / convince sb. a circle as a square, and
matches up your quote - "trying to force a square through a circle".

There are several variations to "丸を四角に言いくるめる," for examples, "カラスをサギと言いくるめる -
insist on a crow as a white heron" and "白を黒と言い張る - insist on white as black.

These expressions are applied to an obstinate or dishonest person and his /
her behavior, because he / she is pushing a wrong and illogical assertion on
others.
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-17T21:34:17.510
38532
2016-08-19T20:26:10.627
2016-08-19T20:26:10.627
12056
12056
38489
answer