How to Read “騏驎も老いては駑馬に劣る”
Kirin mo oite wa doba ni otoru
Meaning of “騏驎も老いては駑馬に劣る”
This proverb means that no matter how excellent and talented a person may be, as they age, they can only demonstrate abilities inferior to those of ordinary people.
What’s important here is that the expression uses “becomes inferior” rather than simply “declines.” It expresses the harsher reality where someone who was once exceptionally outstanding becomes worse than mediocre people. This phrase is mainly used to describe the decline of physical abilities or technical skills, and is often quoted particularly in fields such as sports, craftsmanship, and the arts.
It is used in situations such as when a legendary player loses to an ordinary active player, or when the skills of a craftsman once called a master can no longer match those of younger workers. The reason for using this expression is not merely to describe the aging process, but to emphasize the cruelty of the passage of time and the transience of glory. In modern times, it is also understood as a warning when considering the timing of retirement.
Origin and Etymology
This proverb originates from Chinese classics. “Kirin” is the name of a divine horse that appears in ancient Chinese legends, considered the finest of fine horses capable of running a thousand ri (about 4,000 kilometers) in a single day. On the other hand, “doba” refers to slow, inferior horses.
This expression was originally a concept found in Chinese classical literature and historical records, used to express how excellent people or things decline over time. It was introduced to Japan along with the study of Chinese classics, and examples of its use can be found in Edo period literature.
What’s particularly interesting is that this phrase doesn’t simply describe the aging process, but expresses situations where something once excellent becomes below average. The expression that kirin, the highest grade of horse, becomes not just an ordinary nag but “inferior to a nag” contains the intensity of the rise and fall of fortune.
In Japan, Chinese learning was valued as part of the samurai class education, so proverbs derived from Chinese classics like this became widely established. Even today, it is sometimes used when discussing the retirement timing of athletes and entertainers.
Interesting Facts
In Chinese mythology, kirin is sometimes considered a spiritual beast like the qilin, depicted as a sacred being beyond mere fine horses. Therefore, the “kirin” in this proverb is used not as a real horse, but as a symbol of ideal ability.
Samurai of the Edo period often used this proverb as a warning to themselves, valuing it as a lesson about the importance of not becoming complacent during their active years and passing the torch to successors at the appropriate time.
Usage Examples
- That legendary pitcher from years past – it’s true that even a fine horse when it ages becomes inferior to a nag; he can no longer match the young players
- My father was once the company’s ace, but as they say, even a fine horse when it ages becomes inferior to a nag – recently even newcomers are surpassing him
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the meaning of this proverb has become more complex. While it traditionally mainly referred to physical decline or technical deterioration, new interpretations have emerged today regarding the obsolescence of knowledge and skills.
Taking the IT industry as an example, former programming geniuses may find themselves unable to keep up with new technologies and become inferior to fresh graduate engineers. This is not simple aging, but a phenomenon that occurs when the speed of technological innovation exceeds human adaptability.
On the other hand, modern times emphasize concepts like “lifelong learning” and “reskilling,” and voices question the fatalistic aspects of this proverb. The idea that one can maintain abilities that don’t lose to younger generations by continuing to learn even as they age is spreading.
There’s also a growing tendency to focus on values that accumulate with age, such as experience and wisdom. Even if one becomes inferior to younger generations in simple processing speed or physical strength, there are many cases where one can maintain superiority in judgment and relationship-building abilities.
Therefore, in modern times, rather than accepting “even a fine horse when it ages becomes inferior to a nag” as absolute truth, it is being reinterpreted as words that teach the importance of continuing to find one’s own value.
When AI Hears This
This proverb brilliantly captures a cognitive bias that modern psychology has discovered called the “halo effect.” The halo effect is a mental tendency where we get carried away by one outstanding characteristic and end up overestimating that person’s overall abilities.
For example, when a former baseball player who once excelled at Koshien becomes a coach, we unconsciously assume that “since he was amazing back then, he must have great coaching skills now.” However, in reality, talent as a player and ability as a coach are completely different things.
In an experiment conducted by psychologist Edward Thorndike in 1920, it was proven that when military officers evaluated their subordinates, having one good impression led them to rate other abilities highly as well. Even today, there are countless examples of judging someone as capable simply because they graduated from a prestigious university, or misjudging current abilities by being trapped in past success stories.
What’s interesting is that this bias affects not only those doing the evaluating, but also those being evaluated. People who cling to past glory and cannot accept reality end up missing opportunities for growth.
The ancient Chinese sages, in an era without scientific research methods, keenly perceived the blind spots of human cognition. They had already intuitively understood what modern neuroscience has revealed: that “people are easily influenced by past information.”
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches us today is that there are inevitably periods of change in life. And what’s important is not to fear that change, but to prepare to accept it.
What’s crucial is not to become complacent during the time when you are “kirin,” but to maintain an attitude of continuous learning. Also, when abilities begin to show decline, you need the courage to gracefully pass the torch to the next generation. This is not defeat, but wisdom in accepting the natural flow of life.
In modern society, even if you become obsolete in one field, there’s potential to demonstrate new value in another field. The experience of being kirin might transform into the power to guide young horses, even if you can no longer run fast.
If you’re currently shining in some field, cherish that light while keeping in the corner of your mind that a time of change will someday come. And when that time arrives, begin the adventure of finding your new value. Life doesn’t end with just one role.
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