How to Read “終わり良ければすべて良し”
Owari yokereba subete yoshi
Meaning of “終わり良ければすべて良し”
“End good if all good” means that no matter how many difficulties or failures occur during the process of something, if it ultimately results in a good outcome, all the previous hardships and problems will be rewarded.
This proverb is used when facing temporary setbacks or difficulties in life or work. It expresses the idea that even if there are various troubles and failures along the way, if you can ultimately achieve your goal, the hardships in the process will be valued as worthwhile.
What’s important is that this is not mere optimism, but represents faith in success that comes after overcoming difficult processes. Even if a project runs aground midway, if it ultimately succeeds, those involved will feel satisfied, and in romance, even if there are twists and turns, happiness can be achieved if the couple ends up together. Even today, it remains a beloved expression that teaches us the importance of taking a long-term perspective on things and continuing to work toward our final goals without being defeated by temporary difficulties.
Origin and Etymology
“End good if all good” is actually a proverb born from the translation of Shakespeare’s play “All’s Well That Ends Well.” This play was written around 1602 and came to Japan when Western literature was introduced during the Meiji period’s civilization and enlightenment movement.
In Shakespeare’s original work, this expression is used as the protagonist Helena pursues the man she loves and ultimately reaches a happy ending. What’s interesting is that Shakespeare himself is said to have quoted this expression from an old European saying.
It became established in Japanese from the late Meiji to Taisho periods, spreading during the translation literature boom of that time. It was accepted as an expression that beautifully merged Western rational thought with Japan’s traditional “results-oriented” values.
Particularly noteworthy is that this proverb represents not simple optimism, but values regarding good endings after difficult processes. In Shakespeare’s play too, the protagonist overcomes many trials to ultimately grasp happiness.
Usage Examples
- Studying for entrance exams was tough, but since I got into my first choice school, end good if all good
- The project had continuous troubles along the way, but end good if all good – the client was pleased with it
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the interpretation of “End good if all good” has become complex. With the spread of social media and the internet, failures and problems during processes are more likely to remain as records, and even when results are good, problems from the process are increasingly brought up later.
In cases like corporate cover-ups or politicians’ gaffes, even if they ultimately reach apologies or resolutions, their handling during the process is severely criticized. In modern times where transparency is valued, applying this proverb has become difficult. In an era that emphasizes transparency, the “all’s well that ends well” way of thinking is not necessarily accepted.
On the other hand, in the startup world, the spirit of this proverb lives on. The stories of venture companies that ultimately achieve success after much trial and error and failure are exactly the modern version of “End good if all good.”
Also, in personal career development, even if you experience job changes and setbacks, if you ultimately land your ideal job, you can feel that the detours up to that point had meaning. In the age of 100-year lifespans, we may need to reinterpret this proverb from a long-term perspective. In modern times, we live in an era where not only results but also integrity in the process is simultaneously demanded.
When AI Hears This
“All’s well that ends well” perfectly captures what Nobel Prize-winning economist Daniel Kahneman discovered as the “peak-end effect.” This psychological phenomenon shows that when people evaluate an entire experience, they don’t judge it based on its actual duration or average comfort level. Instead, they rely solely on two moments: the “most intense moment (peak)” and the “final impression (end).”
In Kahneman’s famous experiment, participants submerged their hands in cold water. When comparing brief intense pain versus longer-lasting pain that became slightly warmer at the end, something remarkable happened. Even though the second scenario objectively involved more total suffering, participants actually preferred the longer painful experience simply because “it got a bit better at the end.”
This effect operates in every aspect of our daily lives. A movie’s rating hinges on its final 30 minutes, while a restaurant’s reputation depends on the dessert and how the bill is handled. Even travel memories work this way—despite mid-trip troubles, if the last day is wonderful, we remember it as “a great trip.”
So when ancient wisdom declared “all’s well that ends well,” this wasn’t mere optimistic consolation. It was an intuitive recognition of a scientific fact about how our brains are actually wired. What modern people should learn is to understand this psychological trait and adopt the strategic thinking of putting maximum effort into “how things end” during crucial moments.
Lessons for Today
What “End good if all good” teaches modern people is the importance of a long-term perspective in life. Precisely because we live in an era where results are demanded instantly on social media, it becomes important to maintain an attitude of continuing to walk toward ultimate goals without being swayed by temporary failures and setbacks.
Even if you’re currently facing difficulties in work or relationships, that might be a waypoint toward ultimate success. Rather than becoming unable to move by seeking perfection, by continuing to advance while failing along the way, you may be able to achieve results beyond your imagination.
This proverb also teaches us a way of thinking that doesn’t waste the effort and hardships during the process. Experiences that seemed like detours ultimately become valuable assets. While transparency is important in modern society, we must not forget the heart that values long-term growth and learning processes. Your life story is surely progressing toward a wonderful conclusion.
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