How to Read “柔よく剛を制す”
Jū yoku gō wo seisu
Meaning of “柔よく剛を制す”
“Softness well controls hardness” means that soft and flexible things can overcome hard and rigid things.
This expresses not just a contrast of physical strength, but rather differences in mental attitudes and strategic approaches. It means that flexibility that adapts to situations and wisdom that utilizes an opponent’s strength ultimately produces greater results than rigid thinking or brute force methods.
It is used in situations when facing difficulties or when needing to confront powerful opponents. It serves as a guideline when considering alternative approaches rather than forcing a direct breakthrough.
The reason for using this expression is to convey that even in seemingly disadvantageous situations, one should not lose hope and can forge a path through wisdom and ingenuity. Even today, this way of thinking is extremely effective in various situations such as organizational management, human relationships, and business strategy. A modern interpretation would be that understanding the other party’s position and building win-win relationships leads to more sustainable success than forceful methods.
Origin and Etymology
“Softness well controls hardness” is said to originate from the words recorded in the ancient Chinese philosophical text “Tao Te Ching”: “The softest things in the world overcome the hardest things in the world.” Laozi was a philosopher from around the 6th century BCE, also called the founder of Taoism.
This philosophy was later expressed in the “I Ching” as “When the firm and the yielding interact, change lies within,” becoming a cornerstone of yin-yang philosophy. Chinese philosophy was transmitted to Japan along with Buddhism, and by the Heian period, it was already familiar to the nobility as part of their education.
This concept took particularly deep root in the world of martial arts. Kano Jigoro, the founder of judo, also emphasized this philosophy within his principles of “maximum efficiency with minimum effort” and “mutual welfare and benefit.” Expressions like “jujutsu overcomes strength” appear frequently in Edo period martial arts texts and were widely accepted as part of the samurai code.
What’s interesting is that these words developed not merely as technical theory, but as life philosophy. They contain the profound insight that continuous and flexible power, like water wearing away stone, is the true force that overcomes seemingly solid obstacles.
Interesting Facts
In the world of martial arts, an example of “Softness well controls hardness” can be found in aikido’s “irimi tenkan” technique. This technique, which uses an opponent’s attacking force to throw them, can truly be said to embody this proverb.
The phenomenon of water drops creating holes in stone over long periods has also long been cited as a natural example of this proverb. In China, this is expressed with the four-character idiom “water drops penetrate stone” and is considered a symbol of the power of persistence.
Usage Examples
- When newcomer Tanaka’s proposal overturned the veteran manager’s opposition, it was truly “Softness well controls hardness”
- The fact that empathizing with children’s feelings is more effective than scolding them harshly is a typical example of “Softness well controls hardness”
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, “Softness well controls hardness” has acquired new interpretations beyond its traditional meaning. Particularly in the digital age, we frequently see phenomena where startups sweep markets with innovative ideas against giant corporations.
In the business world, agile working methods and flexible organizational management have come to be valued over rigid organizational structures. The spread of remote work can also be understood as a transition from the rigid traditional way of “going to the office” to flexible working unconstrained by time and location.
The rise of social media and influencer marketing can also be called a modern version of this concept. Individual influence and word-of-mouth have gained more power to move consumers’ hearts than traditional mass advertising with huge budgets.
On the other hand, in modern times we also see a tendency to overvalue “flexibility” while undervaluing consistency and continuity. While “flexible response” to everything tends to be considered good, the original proverb teaches the importance of strategically exercising flexibility toward clear goals.
Also, in our information-overloaded age, empathetic communication that considers the other party’s position has more power to move people’s hearts than strong assertions, which can also be said to be a modern manifestation of this proverb.
When AI Hears This
In modern information warfare, the power dynamic between physical “hard” force and informational “soft” force has dramatically reversed.
Google’s algorithm instantly neutralized massive physical infrastructure like libraries and newspaper companies worldwide. Just a few lines of code made hundreds of billions of dollars worth of printing equipment and distribution networks obsolete. This wasn’t merely technological innovation—it was a historic turning point where “invisible force” conquered “visible force.”
Particularly fascinating is the asymmetry between attack and defense. In cyberattacks, a hacker group of roughly 10 people can paralyze military organizations with tens of thousands of personnel. The 2017 WannaCry ransomware was just a few megabytes of code that simultaneously infected 300,000 computers worldwide, shutting down hospitals and railway systems. It achieved a scale of impact through informational “soft” power that would be utterly impossible with physical destructive force.
Furthermore, modern times have introduced data as a new form of “soft” power. Amazon dominates the retail industry without holding inventory, while Uber transformed the taxi industry without owning cars. Their weapons aren’t massive facilities, but consumer behavior data and the algorithms that process it. The “softness” of information is fundamentally rewriting the “hard” structures of traditional industries.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches us today is what true strength really is. In an age when we tend to mistake sending strong words on social media or defeating opponents in arguments for power, this ancient wisdom seems to shine all the brighter.
In daily life, we can apply this way of thinking in all situations: family relationships, workplace human relations, child-rearing, and more. Listening to others’ opinions, showing empathy, and then conveying our own thoughts on that foundation—this is the modern version of “Softness well controls hardness.”
Also, when facing difficult situations, it’s important to have the courage to approach from different angles rather than confronting them head-on with brute force. Even if it seems like a detour, it often becomes the most reliable and sustainable solution in the end.
Starting today, try relaxing your shoulders a bit and looking around with a flexible heart. You’re sure to see new possibilities. There’s no need to act tough. Your kindness and flexibility are your most beautiful strengths.
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