How to Read “義を見てせざるは勇無きなり”
gi wo mite sezaru wa yuu naki nari
Meaning of “義を見てせざるは勇無きなり”
This proverb means “When you know something is right but fail to act on it, this is proof that you lack courage.”
The “righteousness” (義) referred to here means the correct path that one should follow as a human being. And “courage” (勇) doesn’t mean mere physical strength or boldness, but rather the mental strength to carry through what is right. In other words, turning a blind eye to injustice happening before your eyes or to people in trouble, or avoiding righteous action by prioritizing your own interests, are acts that lack true courage.
This proverb is used in situations that require moral judgment. For example, it’s quoted when one hesitates about whether to take action after witnessing bullying, learning of wrongdoing, or encountering someone in need of help. Rather than simply encouraging someone to “do your best,” it’s used with the deeper meaning that “doing what’s right is true courage.”
Origin and Etymology
This proverb is said to originate from the words of Confucius recorded in the “Wei Zheng” chapter of the Chinese classic “Analects.” The original text is “見義不為、無勇也” (seeing righteousness and not acting, having no courage), which was translated into Japanese to become its current form.
The China of the Spring and Autumn period (around the 6th century BCE) when Confucius lived was a chaotic era of continuous warfare. In such times, Confucius taught his disciples what true courage really was. While society of that time tended to value military force and power, Confucius presented a different concept of “courage.”
The concept of “righteousness” (義) forms the foundation of Confucian thought, meaning the right path for humans and morally correct actions. Confucius believed that practicing this “righteousness” was true courage. Being merely strong doesn’t make one a true hero; rather, the mental strength to judge what is right as right and put it into action is real courage.
This proverb deeply influenced the Japanese bushido spirit from the Heian period onward and was widely transmitted as an important teaching in Edo period education. Even today, it remains beloved as words that explain the importance of moral courage.
Usage Examples
- At that time, I turned a blind eye to my friend being bullied, which was truly “seeing righteousness and not doing it is having no courage”
- Staying silent while knowing about the boss’s misconduct – it’s only natural to be told “seeing righteousness and not doing it is having no courage”
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the meaning of this proverb has become more complex and nuanced. With the spread of social media, we now have more opportunities to witness various social problems and injustices daily. However, it’s also true that determining “what is truly right” has become more difficult than before in this flood of information.
Particularly on the internet, actions that begin with a sense of justice often lead to online harassment and defamation. What was intended as acting in the spirit of “seeing righteousness and not doing it is having no courage” may end up hurting someone. In modern times, perhaps we need both the courage to act and the prudence to pause and think.
On the other hand, the essential values this proverb represents remain important today. There are still many situations in modern society where “righteousness” should be practiced, such as workplace harassment, environmental issues, and discrimination against socially vulnerable people. However, solutions through organizations and institutions have come to be valued alongside individual heroic actions.
Modern “courage” includes not only standing up alone, but also the wisdom to find appropriate consultation sources and collaborate with others. While times have changed, the importance of mental strength to carry out what is right remains unchanged.
When AI Hears This
Modern people are said to encounter approximately 34,000 pieces of information per day. In other words, they witness incomparably more instances of “righteousness” than people in Confucius’s time.
What’s fascinating is how this difference in information volume has completely reversed the “reasons for not taking action.” In Confucius’s era, when people saw righteousness but failed to act, “cowardice” was the cause. However, in modern times, we see the phenomenon of “having too many choices to move.”
Psychology calls this the “choice-overload effect.” For example, experimental results show that stores displaying only 6 varieties of jam had purchase rates 10 times higher than stores with 24 varieties. The same thing is happening with justice.
Modern people who see countless social issues on social media—environmental problems, poverty, discrimination—end up in a state where they “don’t know where to start.” As a result, they choose to do nothing. This is the true nature of “justice fatigue.”
Even more interesting is how many modern people feel they’ve fulfilled their duty to righteousness simply by pressing the “like” button. They find satisfaction in the digital realm before reaching the stage that Confucius envisioned: “summoning courage to take action.”
Perhaps, then, true courage in the modern era is the courage to choose “this one” from countless options.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches us today is what true strength really is. Courage isn’t just about speaking your mind on social media without fearing backlash, or arguing with your boss. There must be situations closer to home that need your courage.
Giving up your seat on the train, returning lost items, honestly admitting mistakes – the accumulation of such small righteous acts strengthens your heart. Rather than brandishing grand justice, living honestly in daily life might actually require more courage.
Modern society tends to value “reading the atmosphere,” but sometimes we need the strength to go against that atmosphere to uphold what’s right. Of course, we mustn’t become self-righteous. But if your conscience tells you “this is right,” try listening to that voice.
You don’t need to be perfect. You don’t need to fear making mistakes. What’s important is the courage to take a step toward what you believe is right. That step will surely change yourself and the world around you, little by little, for the better.
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