Help for this expression: 猿は人間に毛が[三筋]{みすじ}足らぬ


I read this expression in a text. It seems to be an old proverb about monkeys.
But I am not sure about its meaning. Why 筋, for instance? Does it mean muscle?
reasoning faculty? Why would they be lacking?




It means: "Monkeys are less clever than humans" or literally: "Monkeys have 3
hair less than people"

足らぬ being used for 足りない

and 筋 being the counter for hair

To add a bit of history/legend:

毛 doesn't stand for "hair" but for apparel, appearance or skill...etc.

The legend states that during the creation of the world, Kamis (god(s))
thought human and monkeys were too similar and removed 3 details (毛) from
them.

A monkey asked to "god" (kami) why they could not become human. God answered,
because you lack the following 3 points (毛):

> ＜見分け＞物事の分別、理性が無い
>
> ＜情け＞ 情愛、恋愛、思いやり、雅な心
>
> ＜やりとげ＞最後までやり抜くこと、成し遂げること

(reason, compassion and sense of accomplishment)

<http://iwasironokuni.cocolog-nifty.com/komiti/2011/07/post-6d0c.html>




It means: "Monkeys are less clever than humans" or literally: "Monkeys have 3
hair less than people"

足らぬ being used for 足りない

and 筋 being the counter for hair

To add a bit of history/legend:

毛 doesn't stand for "hair" but for apparel, appearance or skill...etc.

The legend states that during the creation of the world, Kamis (god(s))
thought human and monkeys were too similar and removed 3 details (毛) from
them.

A monkey asked to "god" (kami) why they could not become human. God answered,
because you lack the following 3 points (毛):

> ＜見分け＞物事の分別、理性が無い
>
> ＜情け＞ 情愛、恋愛、思いやり、雅な心
>
> ＜やりとげ＞最後までやり抜くこと、成し遂げること

(reason, compassion and sense of accomplishment)

<http://iwasironokuni.cocolog-nifty.com/komiti/2011/07/post-6d0c.html>

