Someone Who Is Ashamed Of Poor Clothing And Poor Food Is Not Yet Worth Discussing Things With: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read “Someone who is ashamed of poor clothing and poor food is not yet worth discussing things with”

Akui akushoku wo hajizuru mono wa, imada tomo ni giruru ni tarazu

Meaning of “Someone who is ashamed of poor clothing and poor food is not yet worth discussing things with”

This proverb means that people who feel embarrassed about wearing cheap clothes or eating simple food aren’t ready for serious discussions. They care too much about material things and appearances.

It shows that these people are not mature enough spiritually. They can’t talk about important topics because they focus on the wrong things.

Real valuable discussions are about morals, learning, and the meaning of life. People who can join these talks don’t worry about being poor.

They accept a simple lifestyle and focus on growing their mind and spirit instead. If someone only cares about looks and material comfort, they haven’t matured as a person yet.

This proverb teaches us to judge people by what they value. It’s a tough but important lesson about character.

Origin and Etymology

This proverb comes from an ancient Chinese book called the “Analects.” This book records the teachings of Confucius, a famous philosopher.

In the “Li Ren” chapter, Confucius talks about what makes an ideal person. He says this exact phrase about poor clothing and poor food.

“Poor clothing and poor food” means cheap clothes and simple meals. In ancient China, scholars believed spiritual growth mattered more than material wealth.

During Confucius’s time, true intellectuals lived simply. They stayed poor but studied morals and knowledge hard. This was seen as a virtue.

This saying came to Japan when Confucian ideas spread there. During the Edo period, samurai warriors read the “Analects” widely. Educated people learned this proverb.

The idea of valuing spirit over material things matched well with the samurai code. Both cultures respected people who didn’t chase after wealth.

Today, people don’t use this proverb much. But it still carries a deep message about what truly matters in life.

Interesting Facts

The phrase “与に議るに足らず” uses an old way of reading the character “与.” It means “with” or “together with” here.

Today, people usually read this character as “give.” So this old usage feels fresh and shows how Japanese language has changed over time.

During Confucius’s time in ancient China, students who studied were often very poor. Records show some students ate only one bowl of porridge per day.

They kept studying despite hunger. This proverb reflects that real historical situation. It wasn’t just an idea—it was how scholars actually lived.

Usage Examples

• He only complains about his low salary. Someone who is ashamed of poor clothing and poor food is not yet worth discussing things with—he can’t talk about the real meaning of work yet.
• Before obsessing over brand-name items, remember: Someone who is ashamed of poor clothing and poor food is not yet worth discussing things with.

Universal Wisdom

This proverb asks a basic question: What should we use to judge human value? Everyone wants to wear nice clothes and eat good food. That’s natural.

But when material desires control your mind, you lose sight of what’s truly important. You can’t see the bigger picture anymore.

Why has this saying survived for thousands of years? Because people in every era get distracted by material wealth. This hasn’t changed.

In ancient China and modern Japan alike, people try to measure their worth by appearance and possessions. But to think deeply and discuss important ideas, you must be free from these surface values.

This proverb teaches us what maturity means. A spiritually mature person doesn’t feel ashamed of being poor. Instead, they accept it and focus on learning and moral growth.

Our ancestors understood that true wealth lives inside your heart. As long as you chase outer wealth, you can’t reach inner wealth.

This deep understanding of human nature gives the proverb its timeless value. It’s wisdom that works in any age.

When AI Hears This

The human brain has limited mental resources. Psychologist Roy Baumeister found that willpower and decision-making use up mental energy. When low-level desires occupy your mind, you have less capacity for higher thinking.

If someone worries “my food is too plain” or “my clothes look bad,” they waste brainpower just processing those complaints. Their working memory gets used up on these concerns.

The emotion of “shame” is interesting here. Cognitive dissonance theory says people can’t handle gaps between reality and their ideals. They unconsciously justify their situation.

But this proverb points to the opposite pattern. People who feel ashamed of poor clothing and food refuse to accept their situation. By complaining, they protect their self-image: “I deserve better than this.”

While this defense mechanism runs, they can’t focus on meaningful discussions in front of them. Their mind is busy elsewhere.

Modern research shows economic hardship lowers cognitive function by about 13 IQ points on average. But the real problem isn’t poverty itself.

The problem is internalizing poverty as “shame” and wasting mental resources on it constantly. This proverb sees that internal attachment, not external conditions, steals your freedom to think.

It’s a brilliant insight into how our minds work. The proverb understood psychology thousands of years before modern science.

Lessons for Today

This proverb teaches us about life priorities. What do you value most? Modern society emphasizes brand names, fancy food, and impressive lifestyles.

On social media, everyone shows off the glamorous parts of their life. Material wealth looks like proof of happiness. But this proverb questions that view.

What do you truly care about? Is it appearance and possessions? Or is it knowledge and personal growth? Wanting a comfortable life isn’t wrong.

But if material things consume your attention, you might lose sight of what matters more. You might miss the truly important things in life.

We can balance material and spiritual wealth. You don’t need to feel ashamed of not wearing expensive clothes or eating simple meals.

If you can keep learning, thinking deeply, and growing as a person even in simple circumstances, that’s real strength. That’s true character.

The lesson is clear: Don’t let material concerns control your life. Focus on becoming a person of substance, not just appearance.