English Dictionary

be cruel to be kind

動詞

To act cruelly in order to achieve a positive outcome in the future.

日本語の意味

将来の良い結果を得るため、あえて厳しく振る舞うこと。 / 最終的な利益や善意の結果を狙い、一見矛盾する冷酷な行動を取ること。

Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind when disciplining your children.

子供をしつけるとき、時には愛情から厳しく接しなければならない。

意味（1）

To act cruelly in order to achieve a positive outcome in the future.

It may perhaps be said of her, “She must be cruel to be kind.” In the discovery of anæsthesia and of various anæsthetics she may have inflicted some inconvenience, even actual pain, on a limited number of the inferior creation; but here is her return, even to inferior animals.

is cruel to be kind （ present singular third-person ）

being cruel to be kind （ participle present ）

was cruel to be kind （ past ）

been cruel to be kind （ participle past ）