出る杭は打たれる (でるくいはうたれる): the nail that sticks out gets hammered down; people that stick out too much get punished; tall trees catch much wind

the nail that sticks out gets hammered down; people that stick out too much get punished; tall trees catch much wind

The classic account of social conformity: stand out and you invite being knocked down. Usually said with resignation, sometimes as a caution.

A Japanese proverb (ことわざ)