How to Read “人を見て法を説け”
Hito wo mite hou wo toke
Meaning of “人を見て法を説け”
This proverb means that one should convey teachings and messages in the most appropriate way according to the other person’s position, comprehension ability, and personality.
It definitely does not mean changing one’s story conveniently depending on the person. It teaches the importance of conveying the essential message without changing it, but choosing the method that is easiest for the other person to understand and that resonates with their heart. For example, avoiding technical terms and explaining with familiar examples to people without specialized knowledge, while speaking with deeper content to experienced people.
This proverb is often used in educational settings and guidance situations. It teaches that when teachers instruct students, supervisors guide subordinates, or parents teach children, it’s important to take an approach tailored to each individual’s personality and abilities rather than using a uniform method. Even in modern times, this way of thinking is extremely valuable as a foundation for effective communication. By choosing words that reach the other person’s heart, we can promote true understanding and growth.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of this proverb is deeply rooted in Buddhist teachings. In Buddhism, “law” refers to the Buddha’s teachings themselves, and this phrase originated as a fundamental principle for monks when preaching Buddhist law to people.
Since the time of Buddha, Buddhism has emphasized teaching according to the audience. This is called “taiki seppou” (teaching according to the listener’s capacity), and it was considered important to convey teachings in the most appropriate way according to the listener’s comprehension ability, circumstances, and personality. Even the same truth needed to be conveyed logically to scholars, using familiar examples to farmers, and through easy-to-understand stories to children.
This way of thinking spread widely throughout Japan’s Buddhist community from the Heian to Kamakura periods, and eventually spread to general society as well. This proverb is recorded in Edo period literature and is thought to have been used as educational guidance in temple schools and as merchant principles.
“Look at person and preach law” was not merely worldly wisdom, but a word of Buddhist-derived wisdom that showed the way of truly effective communication based on deep compassion and understanding for others.
Usage Examples
- In new employee training, it’s important to look at person and preach law, showing detailed data to theory-oriented people and concrete examples to practical-minded people
- When cautioning children, I change my approach according to each child’s personality, as the saying “look at person and preach law” suggests
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the meaning of this proverb is often misunderstood. It’s increasingly used to mean “changing one’s story conveniently depending on the person” or “being servile to those in strong positions while being arrogant to those in weak positions” – what we call “using different faces.” However, this is an interpretation completely opposite to the original meaning.
Precisely because we live in an information society, the original value of this proverb is being reconsidered. In modern times, where SNS and email communication have become mainstream and we have fewer opportunities to directly see others’ expressions and reactions, the skill of imagining the other person’s position and situation and choosing appropriate ways of communication has become even more important.
In the business world too, as diversity is emphasized, this teaching is very effective in communication with members of different generations and cultural backgrounds. Even when explaining the same project, it’s necessary to present numbers and strategy to management, while conveying specific work content and significance to field staff in forms that resonate with each audience.
In educational settings, individualized optimal learning is gaining attention, and teaching methods tailored to each person’s learning style are required. This can truly be called the practice of “look at person and preach law.”
In modern times especially, true communication skills based on deep understanding and compassion for others are being tested.
When AI Hears This
When AI seeks the “optimal solution,” it’s a statistical answer derived from analyzing data from tens of thousands of people. For instance, when asked “How can I boost my motivation to study?” AI presents generally effective methods like “goal setting,” “reward systems,” and “environment optimization.” These are certainly correct answers that apply to many people.
However, the human wisdom embodied in “tailor your message to your audience” is completely different. Even with the same topic of studying, you might tell a perfectionist child who tends to push themselves too hard, “It’s okay to fail sometimes,” while encouraging a child who’s losing motivation by saying, “You have such wonderful talents.” On the surface, these seem like contradictory advice, but both are truths that resonate deeply with each person’s heart.
AI’s strength lies in objectivity and comprehensiveness, but human wisdom lies in subjectivity and individuality. The ability to instantly read the facial expressions, tone of voice, past experiences, and current emotional state of the person in front of you, and find the “key words” that speak uniquely to that individual. This is wisdom that statistics can never capture—it can only emerge within one-on-one relationships.
In an era of increasing standardization, this uniquely human ability to “read your audience and communicate accordingly” should be re-evaluated as precious wisdom that creates true understanding and deep empathy.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches us modern people is that true communication begins with deep understanding of the other person. Standing in the other person’s position and thinking, then conveying in the form that person can most easily receive. This is not merely a technique, but an expression of caring deeply about the other person.
In daily life, there are many things you can practice. In conversations with family, choose words considering each person’s personality and current situation. At work, change your explanation method according to colleagues’ experience and specialized fields. In relationships with friends, choose topics after understanding that person’s values and interests.
What’s important is not distorting the essence of what you want to convey. Without changing the core of your thoughts and feelings, express them in the form that the other person can most easily understand and that resonates with their heart. When you become able to do this, human relationships become richer and deeper.
In modern society, we have increasing opportunities to interact with people holding diverse values. That’s precisely why this ancient wisdom shines with new brilliance. Try to practice communication that considers each individual with a caring heart. Surely your words will reach more people’s hearts.
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