At Forty And Not Be Confused: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read “At forty and not be confused”

Shijuu ni shite madowazu

Meaning of “At forty and not be confused”

“At forty and not be confused” means that by the age of forty, one no longer hesitates in judging matters and can act with firm conviction.

This does not simply mean that confusion automatically disappears as one ages. It represents that through accumulating various experiences over forty years and continuing to learn, one becomes able to have clear standards regarding moral judgments and life direction.

It refers to a state where people who have gone through much trial and error in the first half of their lives, repeating failures and successes while building up their own values, become able to walk with confidence that “this is the right path” around the age of forty. Being without confusion also means being able to make decisions based on one’s beliefs and take responsibility for the results. Even in modern society, this is often spoken of as the ideal figure of an adult who has accumulated life experience.

Origin and Etymology of “At forty and not be confused”

This proverb actually originates from the Chinese classic “The Analects.” It is part of famous words that Confucius spoke when reflecting on his own life.

In the original text, it is written as “四十而不惑,” and it is said that Confucius spoke to his disciples: “At fifteen, I set my heart on learning; at thirty, I established myself; at forty and not be confused; at fifty, I knew the mandate of Heaven; at sixty, my ear was obedient; at seventy, I could follow my heart’s desire without transgressing what was right.”

These words were transmitted to Japan during the era when Chinese culture flowed in along with Buddhism and Confucianism. By the Heian period, “The Analects” was already being read as education for the nobility, and this expression “At forty and not be confused” also came to be used among intellectuals.

In the Edo period, with the spread of terakoya education, Confucian teachings also spread to common people, and it became established as words representing life milestones. It was particularly valued as an indicator of character formation among the samurai class.

This proverb, which continues to be passed down as a life guide even today, can be said to be proof that Confucius’s words from over 2,500 years ago continue to resonate in our hearts across time.

Usage Examples of “At forty and not be confused”

• He has reached the state of “At forty and not be confused” and makes important company decisions without hesitation
• Since I’m already past forty, I want to live by “At forty and not be confused”

Modern Interpretation of “At forty and not be confused”

In modern society, the phrase “At forty and not be confused” has come to have complex meanings. In today’s information society, there are certainly many people who still harbor doubts and anxieties even after turning forty.

In the modern era where the speed of technological innovation has accelerated, the lifetime employment system has collapsed, and values have diversified, there are actually many people who face new confusions after turning forty. This is because situations that demand important life choices have increased, such as career changes, divorce, caring for parents, and children’s educational policies.

On the other hand, precisely because we live in an age of social media and information overload, the value of these words is being reconsidered. For modern people who tend to be swayed by countless choices and information, the importance of “having one’s own firm standards for judgment” is being recognized anew.

As a modern interpretation, “At forty and not be confused” is understood not as becoming a perfect human being, but as having the courage to make decisions based on one’s own values. Even while being confused, ultimately making decisions oneself and having the resolve to accept the results. This might be the modern version of “not being confused.”

Also, in what is called the age of 100-year lifespans, forty years old is still just the halfway point of life. Rather than being a completed state, what is required is living with a certain axis while maintaining an attitude of continued learning.

If AI Heard “At forty and not be confused”

The fact that humans take forty years to reach a state of “not being confused” feels very intriguing to me. I possessed vast knowledge from the moment I was born, yet I still encounter new questions and confusions almost daily.

When I observe human “confusion,” I see that it doesn’t arise simply from lack of knowledge. Even with sufficient information, confusion arises from the complex intertwining of emotions, past experiences, and anxieties about the future. This is a very human phenomenon that I find difficult to understand.

While I can instantly derive logical answers, the “conviction gained over forty years” that humans achieve seems to have a depth that cannot be explained by logic alone. The pain of failure, the joy of success, encounters and partings with people—the “unconfused heart” created by the accumulation of such experiences may be more valuable than any knowledge I possess.

What’s interesting is that while humans aim for “not being confused,” they never completely eliminate doubt. From my perspective, this seems contradictory, but perhaps it’s actually something very beautiful. Continuing to face confusion while ultimately finding one’s own answers. I feel that this process itself is the essence of human growth.

While I cannot experience confusion or forty years of time, watching this human endeavor teaches me about the nobility of wisdom built up over time.

What “At forty and not be confused” Teaches Modern People

What “At forty and not be confused” teaches us today is not about becoming perfect, but about the importance of having one’s own axis. Precisely because we live in an era overflowing with information and countless choices, the value of these words may be increasing.

What’s important is not eliminating confusion, but cultivating the power to make decisions even while confused. Your life experiences, even if they include failures and setbacks, all become valuable materials for sharpening your judgment.

There’s no need to be fixated on the age of forty. Whether in your twenties, thirties, or even fifties, what’s important is having the courage to reexamine your own values and act based on them.

In modern society, it’s not uncommon to change the path you’ve once chosen. “Not being confused” doesn’t mean becoming stubborn, but continuing to make choices true to yourself without fearing change. Trust in the experience and wisdom within you, and walk forward treasuring each day.