How to Read “A nation without external enemies or threats will always perish”
Tekikoku gaikan naki mono wa kuni tsune ni horobu
Meaning of “A nation without external enemies or threats will always perish”
This proverb means that when a peaceful state continues without external enemies or internal worries, a nation loses its sense of urgency and eventually collapses. At first glance, peace seems like an ideal condition.
However, in an environment with no threats at all, people lose their sense of crisis. They neglect their efforts and discipline becomes lax. As a result, national strength gradually declines.
When a real crisis finally arrives, the nation cannot respond and falls apart.
This proverb is used when explaining that organizations and nations need moderate tension and crisis awareness to maintain long-term prosperity. It teaches the necessity of staying alert during stable periods and preparing for the next difficulty.
Even today, it is quoted in business management and organizational contexts. It emphasizes the importance of continuing reform and challenges during successful times, rather than becoming complacent.
Origin and Etymology
This proverb is believed to originate from a passage in the ancient Chinese classic “Mencius.” Mencius was an important Confucian thinker. The book containing his teachings records many insights about state governance and human nature.
In the original text, it appears as “入則無法家払士、出則無敵国外患者、国恒亡.” This means “Those who have no ministers to admonish them internally, and no enemy states or external troubles externally, will surely see their nation perish.”
The words teach a seemingly paradoxical truth. A peaceful and stable state is not necessarily good for a nation.
Why did such thinking emerge? In ancient China, many states repeatedly rose and fell. People witnessed kingdoms suddenly collapsing from the peak of prosperity.
From these observations, they discovered a pattern. During peaceful times without external enemies, people become careless. Discipline loosens and national strength decays from within.
This philosophy was transmitted to Japan. It was passed down as an important lesson among warriors during the Warring States period and Edo period. It deeply connected with the spirit of bushido.
Warriors believed they must not neglect martial arts training and spiritual cultivation, especially during peaceful times.
Interesting Facts
This proverb has fascinating parallels with the biological concept of “adaptive immunity.” The human immune system is trained and strengthened by moderate exposure to pathogens.
Organisms raised in completely sterile environments actually develop weaker immunity. When they finally encounter pathogens, they suffer severe symptoms. This is well-documented in science.
Sword training halls during the Edo period embodied the spirit of this proverb. Even during peaceful times, they emphasized continuing rigorous practice. Along with the saying “The bamboo sword is the battlefield blade,” warriors shared the attitude of never neglecting training.
They believed that precisely because there were no real battles, they must maintain imagined combat scenarios.
Usage Examples
- Our company’s performance is strong, but as they say, a nation without external enemies or threats will always perish, so now is the time to challenge ourselves with new business ventures
- Peaceful times continue, but remembering the teaching that a nation without external enemies or threats will always perish, we never skip disaster preparedness drills
Universal Wisdom
The deepest truth this proverb reveals is the essential nature of human beings. We grow through “necessity” and deteriorate through “comfort.” When we face difficulties, we demonstrate surprising strength.
However, when those difficulties pass and everything goes smoothly, we mysteriously lose the will to make effort. Even our abilities decline.
Why do humans have this characteristic? It’s because our biological instinct to conserve energy is at work. The brain consumes massive amounts of energy.
When there’s no necessity, it tries to minimize thinking and effort. This is rational as a survival strategy, but it becomes a major pitfall in the long term.
Our ancestors deeply understood this human nature. That’s why they taught the importance of intentionally maintaining tension and continuing challenges during peaceful times.
Happiness is not a state where all difficulties are absent. It’s a state where we continue to possess the strength to face difficulties.
This proverb asks what true strength really is. It’s the strength of will to discipline yourself and keep growing even when there are no threats.
When AI Hears This
Human immune cells acquire “memory” by fighting invading pathogens. This enhances their ability to prepare for the next attack. However, experimental animals raised in completely sterile environments cannot handle even minor bacteria.
They die from infections that would normally pose no problem. In other words, an environment without enemies causes the immune system itself to deteriorate.
This phenomenon relates to a biological principle called “hormesis effect.” Moderate amounts of toxins, radiation, and stress trigger defensive responses in living organisms. This ultimately increases overall resistance.
For example, muscles grow stronger when loaded but atrophy when not used at all. Nations are the same. When external pressure becomes zero, crisis response capability itself is lost.
What’s interesting is that this deterioration progresses exponentially, not gradually. When immunity weakens, infection risk increases. This further accelerates immune decline.
For nations, continued peace weakens not just military power. Information networks that detect crises, rapid decision-making systems, and citizens’ crisis awareness all decline in a chain reaction.
Just as organisms become fragile in sterile rooms, nations walk the path to collapse in a “safety greenhouse.” Moderate tension is an essential condition for maintaining system health.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches you today is that smooth times are the best chance to take your next step. Your work is stable, relationships are good, health has no problems.
When you’re in such a blessed situation, we tend to be satisfied with maintaining the status quo. But that might be a sign that your growth has stopped.
What matters is continuing to place moderate loads on yourself. Learn new skills, challenge difficult projects, incorporate different perspectives. Precisely because now is peaceful, you can train yourself for the next storm.
This doesn’t mean you should live in constant anxiety. Rather, by actively choosing challenges yourself, you gain a sense of controlling your life.
Instead of passively waiting for crises, actively create opportunities for growth. By doing so, you can become truly strong in the real sense.
While being grateful for today’s peace, why not start something new for tomorrow’s self? Just one thing is enough.
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