How to Read “Rivers and marshes accept filth, mountains and thickets hide sickness”
Sentaku o wo irete, sansō shitsu wo zōsu
Meaning of “Rivers and marshes accept filth, mountains and thickets hide sickness”
This proverb means that truly great people accept and embrace those who have flaws.
Just as rivers and marshes don’t refuse dirty water, and mountains and thickets shelter and protect sick animals, people with genuine greatness welcome not only perfect individuals but also those with weaknesses and mistakes.
This proverb is used when discussing the importance of tolerance in leadership and human relationships.
It applies when leaders show they accept people with various personalities and circumstances, not just highly capable individuals.
It’s also used when talking about the importance of accepting a person as a whole, rather than focusing only on their shortcomings.
Even today, this proverb’s meaning remains relevant as we aim for a society that respects diversity and allows everyone to thrive.
It shows the value of recognizing each other, based on the understanding that no one is perfect and everyone has both strengths and weaknesses.
Origin and Etymology
This proverb is believed to come from the ancient Chinese text “Chunqiu Zuozhuan” (Spring and Autumn Annals with Zuo’s Commentary).
The original phrase is “川沢納汙、山藪蔵疾,” meaning “rivers and marshes accept dirty water, mountains and thickets hide sick animals.”
Behind this phrase lies ancient Chinese views of nature and governance philosophy.
Rivers and marshes accept not only clear water but also muddy water without discrimination.
Yet great rivers never dry up. Instead, they maintain their abundant flow.
Similarly, mountains and thickets embrace not only healthy animals but also those that are sick or injured, protecting them.
There was likely an insight that this kind of tolerance in nature supports the richness of the entire ecosystem.
Ancient thinkers applied this natural principle to human society, especially to how leaders should be.
The teaching is that excellent rulers should have the capacity to accept people with flaws and weaknesses, not just gather talented individuals.
Recognizing the reality that no perfect human exists, this phrase embodies the idea that embracing diverse people enriches the entire organization or society.
Interesting Facts
The character “疾” in this proverb is mainly used today in words like “疾病” (disease) and “疾患” (illness) to represent sickness.
However, in ancient China, it had a broader meaning including “suffering,” “hardship,” and “weakness.”
This means mountains and thickets hide not just sick animals but all wounded and weakened beings.
The character “汙 (污)” is also fascinating. It consists of “water” and “于,” originally meaning “stagnant water.”
Though it contrasts with clear water, rivers and marshes don’t refuse it.
This contrasting structure highlights the core message of the proverb.
Usage Examples
- That company president embodies “Rivers and marshes accept filth, mountains and thickets hide sickness” by actively hiring people who failed in the past and growing the company
- I think her team is strong because they follow the spirit of “Rivers and marshes accept filth, mountains and thickets hide sickness” and never abandon anyone
Universal Wisdom
The universal truth this proverb speaks is the limitation of seeking perfection and the richness of accepting imperfection.
In human society, the idea that gathering only excellent people makes an organization strong seems rational at first glance.
However, looking back at history, truly great leaders and organizations had the power to embrace diverse people.
Why do people want to exclude imperfect individuals? It may be a reflection of fear of their own imperfection.
People who cannot forgive others’ flaws are actually people who cannot acknowledge their own weaknesses.
Conversely, those who can accept others’ imperfections are people who have made peace with themselves.
What rivers and mountains teach us is that diversity is the source of vitality.
A river with only pure water is actually poor as an ecosystem.
When various elements mix together, a rich environment is born. Human society is the same.
When people with different backgrounds, abilities, and experiences gather, unexpected chemical reactions occur and new value is created.
This proverb has been passed down for thousands of years perhaps because humans instinctively seek purity and perfection.
Yet deep in our hearts, we know that true richness lies within imperfection.
When AI Hears This
The expression that rivers accept filth and mountains and thickets harbor disease demonstrates the principle in ecology that “imperfection creates diversity.”
Modern research shows that moderately disturbed environments have more species than completely clean environments.
This is called the intermediate disturbance hypothesis.
For example, river pools and places where pollutants accumulate may seem unnecessary.
But they actually become habitats for special microorganisms and insects.
They also serve as refuges for young fish that cannot withstand strong currents.
In other words, the function of “accepting filth” ultimately broadens the capacity of the entire ecosystem.
The same applies to mountains and thickets. Because pests and diseases exist, organisms that feed on them can exist, making the food chain more complex.
What’s interesting is a phenomenon ecologists call the “edge effect.”
Research shows that biodiversity increases by up to 30 percent at boundaries between different environments, like forest and grassland or river and land.
These boundary areas are imperfect, ambiguous, and chaotic places.
What this proverb suggests is the paradox that system health lies not in “perfect purity” but in “tolerance that includes imperfection.”
Pursuing cleanliness too much creates a fragile, simple system instead.
This is also an important lesson that modern ecosystem management faces.
Lessons for Today
For those of us living in modern society, this proverb offers a chance to reconsider “how we evaluate people.”
In an era where only perfect images stand out on social media, we need the courage to accept imperfection.
If you are someone’s leader, look at the whole person rather than focusing on their flaws.
People who failed in the past or aren’t showing their strength now still have potential.
Whether you can believe in that potential and wait determines the size of your character.
Also, if you’re troubled by your own imperfection, it’s nothing to be ashamed of.
Just as rivers accept dirty water, your weakness is part of you.
Only when you can acknowledge your own imperfection can you accept others’ imperfections.
What matters is not aiming for perfection but building relationships where we grow together while acknowledging each other’s imperfections.
Only in such warm connections can people truly show their strength.
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