How to Read “小異を捨てて大同に就く”
Shōi wo sutete daidō ni tsuku
Meaning of “小異を捨てて大同に就く”
This proverb means to stop being fixated on small differences or points of conflict and instead cooperate for larger common goals or interests.
Even when there are minor differences of opinion or differences in position, it teaches the importance of setting those aside and joining forces toward a larger direction that everyone can agree on. This doesn’t mean completely abandoning one’s own opinions, but rather the wisdom of considering priorities and choosing more important, shared goals.
This expression is mainly used when opinions cannot be unified in organizations or groups, or in situations where multiple factions are in conflict. In political contexts, it’s used when calling for cooperation across party lines; in business, when resolving conflicts of interest between departments; and in daily life, when overcoming differences of opinion with family or friends. Even today, it’s understood as an important way of thinking for building constructive cooperative relationships in a society where diverse values coexist.
Origin and Etymology
“Small differences abandon and great agreement reach” is a phrase that originates from the ancient Chinese classic “Records of the Grand Historian” (Shiji). This expression is said to have begun when it was used in the context of political unification and cooperation in the “Records of the Grand Historian” written by Sima Qian.
“Small differences” (shōi) means minor differences or points of disagreement, while “great agreement” (daidō) means major points of agreement or common goals. “Tsuku” (reach/follow) is an archaic term meaning “to attach to” or “to follow,” the same usage that remains in modern words like “employment” (shūshoku).
The background to the birth of this phrase lies in ancient Chinese political thought. During the era from the Warring States period to the unification under Qin, when many states and factions were in conflict, the importance of cooperating for larger common interests and goals rather than being fixated on minor differences was preached.
It was transmitted to Japan along with Chinese classics from the Heian period onward, and became widely known particularly through Confucian scholars of the Edo period. During the Meiji Restoration, this phrase was often quoted as an ideal for establishing a new government by overcoming factional conflicts between domains. It became established not only in political contexts but also in the worlds of commerce and scholarship as a phrase expressing the spirit of cooperation and unity.
Interesting Facts
The term “great agreement” (daidō) was also a concept representing an ideal society in ancient China. In Confucius’s “Book of Rites,” there is the expression “world of great agreement,” which meant an ideal society that was peaceful and harmonious without conflict. Therefore, the “great agreement” in this proverb contains an aspiration for higher ideals beyond mere “points of agreement.”
Interestingly, the structure of this proverb follows the pattern “A wo B shite C ni tsuku” (abandon A and reach C), showing a typical expression pattern of classical Chinese literature. The usage of the verb “tsuku” (reach) is not commonly seen in modern Japanese and is one of the factors that gives a sense of classical dignity.
Usage Examples
- For this project, let’s Small differences abandon and great agreement reach regarding each department’s detailed requests and prioritize the company’s overall interests
- Although there are divisions within the party about election strategy, we should Small differences abandon and great agreement reach for the goal of winning power
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, this proverb has taken on new meanings and challenges. As globalization advances, the importance of overcoming cultural differences and value differences to work toward common goals in international cooperation and multinational corporate collaboration has become even greater.
However, with the development of the information society, where individual opinions and minority voices can now be easily expressed through social media and other platforms, new debates have emerged about the appropriateness of “abandoning small differences.” This is because in modern values that emphasize diversity, respecting minority opinions and individuality is considered equally important.
Particularly in corporate organizations, the mainstream thinking is that different perspectives and creative conflict are necessary to generate innovation, and it’s pointed out that simply “abandoning small differences” could lead to loss of competitiveness. Therefore, the modern interpretation is often understood as “uniting toward common goals after constructive discussion.”
Moreover, in solving environmental problems and social issues, cooperation across borders and positions is essential, and the spirit of this proverb can be said to be more important than ever. In modern times, a more sophisticated sense of balance is required—one that takes unified action while leveraging diversity.
When AI Hears This
“Setting aside minor differences to pursue greater unity” captures with surprising accuracy the cognitive mechanisms that modern psychology has revealed about human nature.
The human brain is instinctively designed to focus on “differences” – a vigilance system necessary for survival, but one that often backfires in modern society. Due to what psychologist Daniel Kahneman identified as “availability heuristic,” we tend to overestimate conspicuous differences while overlooking commonalities.
Even more fascinating is its relationship to “confirmation bias.” While people naturally tend to gather only information that supports their opinions, this proverb shows how to constructively harness this bias by deliberately directing consciousness toward “shared greater goals.”
The “echo chamber effect” that plagues modern social media society actually stems from excessive focus on minor differences. Tiny variations in political positions get amplified until we lose sight of the values we actually share – peace, prosperity, happiness, and so on.
Cognitive science research shows that when people establish “superordinate goals,” cooperative behavior increases dramatically. This proverb can be reinterpreted as a psychological technique that, understanding human cognitive traits, consciously directs attention toward “greater unity.” It’s truly fascinating how ancient wisdom aligns with discoveries in modern neuroscience.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches us today is that even when there are conflicts and differences, there is always a way to overcome them and cooperate. Whether at home or at work, perfect agreement of opinions is rare, but by finding the core parts that each party truly values, we can build constructive relationships.
What’s important is not completely giving up your own opinions. Rather, it’s making the effort to understand the other party’s position and find common interests and values. Through this process, deeper trust relationships are born, and as a result, better solutions are often found.
In modern society, we tend to interact only with people who have similar opinions through social media and other platforms, but this proverb reminds us of the importance of dialogue with people who have different ideas. Rather than fearing differences, we should leverage those differences while walking toward larger goals. Building such mature relationships may be exactly what’s needed in our current era.
Comments