How to Read “末の百より今の五十”
Sue no hyaku yori ima no gojuu
Meaning of “末の百より今の五十”
This proverb means that a certain small benefit in the present is more valuable than an uncertain large benefit in the future.
In other words, it teaches that one should choose “fifty that can be obtained with certainty now” rather than “a hundred that might be obtained someday.” This is not simply comparing amounts of money, but rather shows a judgment criterion that emphasizes the element of “certainty.”
This proverb is used when one is torn between expectations for the future and realistic choices. For example, when considering a job change, it might be used when deciding between a company with good conditions but unclear future prospects and a stable company with ordinary conditions. It is also sometimes quoted in investment and business decisions when comparing high-risk, high-return projects with low-risk, stable-return projects.
This way of thinking is still perfectly valid in modern times. In today’s highly uncertain society, making decisions that prioritize certainty is not overly conservative, but rather can be said to be a wise choice.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of this proverb is said to have emerged from merchant culture during the Edo period. In the commerce of that time, the mindset of valuing certain profits right in front of you rather than expecting large future profits was important.
“End’s hundred” represents a hundred in profit that might be obtained in the future, while “now’s fifty” represents fifty in profit that can be obtained with certainty in the present. This numerical contrast shows not simple arithmetic, but the value of certainty.
Merchants of the Edo period conducted business against an unstable historical backdrop. Natural disasters, political upheavals, market changes, and other situations that made predicting the future difficult were commonplace. In such an environment, certain income for today and tomorrow was far more valuable than large profits in the distant future.
Behind the widespread establishment of this proverb lies the steady and realistic temperament of the Japanese people. The value system of choosing a steady and certain path rather than speculative thinking had permeated not only among merchants but also among ordinary people. The reason it continues to be used today is probably because this teaching represents universal wisdom that transcends time.
Usage Examples
- There was talk of a job change, but with the spirit of “End’s hundred rather than now’s fifty,” I decided to stay at my current company
- I thought about making big profits through investment, but with the spirit of “End’s hundred rather than now’s fifty,” I put the money in a time deposit
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the value of this proverb is being reconsidered. As the advancement of the information society makes predicting the future increasingly difficult, ways of thinking that emphasize certainty are attracting attention.
Particularly in the investment world, high-risk, high-return options such as cryptocurrency and startup company investments are increasing. On social media, flashy stories of “hundred-millionaires” and “successful people” tend to get attention, but the fact is that many people are suffering large losses behind the scenes. In such situations, the teaching of “End’s hundred rather than now’s fifty” serves as a guideline that encourages calm judgment.
The same applies to work styles. While highly flexible work styles such as freelancing and entrepreneurship are being promoted, the value of stable employment is also being reconsidered. Especially for modern people who have experienced the COVID pandemic, the importance of reliable income sources has been deeply understood.
However, in modern times, the very definition of “certainty” is changing. With the collapse of the lifetime employment system, the concept of a “stable company” is also wavering. Therefore, when applying this proverb to modern times, it is necessary to carefully discern what is truly “certain.”
As a result, the modern version of “End’s hundred rather than now’s fifty” has come to mean not simple conservatism, but wise choices made after properly evaluating risks.
When AI Hears This
This proverb perfectly expresses the “opportunity cost” theory of modern economics. Opportunity cost refers to the value of other alternatives that must be given up when making a choice. In other words, the opportunity cost of choosing “fifty now” is “a hundred later,” but conversely, the opportunity cost of choosing “a hundred later” is “fifty now.”
What’s fascinating is that this proverb expresses “the value of certainty” in numerical terms. It suggests choosing the present 50 over the future value of 100. This is precisely the “certainty effect” proven in modern behavioral economics. Humans tend to overvalue certain small gains over uncertain large gains.
Even more remarkable is this ratio of 50 to 100. Modern financial theory uses a “discount rate” to convert future value to present value. Calculating the ratio in this proverb yields an annual discount rate of approximately 14%. This nearly matches the commercial interest rates of the Edo period.
In other words, the common people of Edo already understood as everyday wisdom what modern economists have proven with formulas: “time value,” “risk premium,” and “the value of certainty.” The fact that people from hundreds of years ago reached the same conclusions as complex modern economic theories speaks to the universality of human rational judgment.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches modern people is the importance of “knowing when you have enough.” Before getting anxious seeing others’ success on social media or pushing yourself too hard seeking greater results, it’s important to recognize the value of what you currently have in your hands.
In modern society, constantly seeking more tends to be considered a virtue. However, cherishing what you can certainly obtain and walking steadily with that as your foundation is also a respectable life strategy.
If you have a choice you’re currently struggling with, try stopping and thinking about it once. Will that “future hundred” really be obtained? And aren’t you undervaluing “now’s fifty”? Accumulating small but certain things often leads to great results in the end.
This teaching is not recommending a passive way of life. Rather, it teaches the importance of looking at reality squarely and cultivating the ability to discern what is truly valuable to you. Certain steps, one by one, should ultimately guide you to your ideal place.
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