It is just like English sayings and phrases, there are Japanese sayings and phrases as well. It is called [kotowaza ことわざ].

Today’s kotowaza

魚心あれば水心I Uo gokoro areba mizu gokoro

Uo – fish

Mizu – water

Kokoro/gokoro – heart

If you have a fish heart, you have a water heart

The origin

If a fish wishes that he wants to live in water, then water responses to it and try to become a comfortable nice water.

Its meaning

If you try to get along with other person then other person also try to get along with you.

How to use it

私は小さいいとこのお守り役だ。その間に、おばさんは買い物をする。魚心あれば水心というが、おばさんはお年玉を多めにくれた。

Watashi wa chiisai itoko no omamori yaku da. sono aida ni, oba san ha kamono o suru. Uo gokoro areba mizu gokoro to iuga, oba san ha otoshidama o oomeni kureta.

I am taking care of my little cousin. In a meantime, my auntie go to shopping. It has been said that if you have a fish heart, you have a water heart. My auntie gave me more money than I thought.

My thought

I have experienced many times that when I treat nice and respect and appreciate then other person also do the same to me. If we disrespect other then other also disrespect you. What goes around comes around.

arigato