How to Read “Gambling and speculation don’t stop until death”
bakuchi to sōba wa shinu made yamanu
Meaning of “Gambling and speculation don’t stop until death”
This proverb warns about the terrifying nature of human addiction. Once someone starts gambling or speculating, they can’t quit for the rest of their life.
Gambling and speculative trading have a powerful attraction. They offer the possibility of huge profits. Once you experience success even once, you can’t forget that excitement and thrill.
Even when losses pile up, people cling to the hope that “next time I’ll win it back.” They can’t escape this cycle.
This proverb isn’t meant to condemn people with addictions. Instead, it serves as a warning about a danger anyone could fall into.
People say things like “He can’t stop because gambling and speculation don’t stop until death.” It’s used to explain someone trapped in addiction or to warn someone about to start.
Even today, this saying accurately captures the essence of gambling addiction and excessive investment. It has universal relevance.
Origin and Etymology
The exact first written appearance of this proverb is unclear. However, people have passed it down orally since the Edo period.
“Bakuchi” refers to all forms of gambling. During the Edo period, hanafuda cards and dice games were popular.
“Sōba” means speculative trading using price fluctuations. This includes rice markets and currency exchange. The Dōjima Rice Exchange in Osaka conducted the world’s first organized futures trading during the Edo period.
What’s interesting is that these two activities are mentioned together. Gambling was often illegal, while speculation was recognized as economic activity.
Yet people saw the common essence in both. That essence is the human tendency to become unable to escape the thrill once experienced.
The strong expression “don’t stop until death” reflects actual experiences. People witnessed many ruined lives. They saw people lose fortunes and make families suffer, yet still couldn’t quit.
Our ancestors created this warning after observing such tragedies. People understand the danger rationally, but lose control when dominated by desire. This harsh reality is embedded in these words.
Interesting Facts
The Dōjima Rice Exchange in Osaka during the Edo period is known as the world’s first organized futures market.
Here, “empty rice trading” occurred without actual rice delivery. Some gained enormous wealth while others went bankrupt constantly. Historical records contain many tragedies of merchants ruined by speculation.
Brain science research shows that dopamine released when winning at gambling works through the same mechanism as drug addiction.
The anticipation itself of “maybe next time” keeps stimulating the reward system. Even when losing, the brain can’t stop seeking pleasure.
Usage Examples
- My father lost big in stocks but still continues—truly gambling and speculation don’t stop until death
- Watching him unable to quit pachinko makes me realize that gambling and speculation don’t stop until death
Universal Wisdom
This proverb shows the eternal battle between human desire and reason. We all have a weakness. Even when our heads know something is dangerous, our hearts can’t let go of what they want.
Why do gambling and speculation captivate people so completely? The answer lies in the magic of “uncertainty.”
If profit were guaranteed, it wouldn’t be interesting. If loss were certain, nobody would participate. But as long as there’s a “what if” possibility, human imagination expands infinitely. It creates illusions called hope.
What’s more serious is that success experienced even once gets carved into memory. A single big win becomes justification for a hundred subsequent losses.
The human brain vividly preserves only convenient memories. Painful memories fade away. This is how our brains work.
The proverb’s use of the extreme phrase “until death” isn’t mere exaggeration. Addiction means losing the ability to control yourself through willpower.
Reason sends warnings, but desire overpowers them. By the time you notice, you’ve reached a point of no return.
Our ancestors left these harsh words because they witnessed countless people in this state.
Looking at the essential weakness of human nature is painful. But knowing this weakness is the first step to protecting yourself.
When AI Hears This
When you win at gambling or speculation, your brain releases a substance called dopamine. What’s important here is that dopamine responds not to “the reward itself” but to “the difference from prediction.”
For example, you bet 100 yen expecting to get 200 yen, but you get 500 yen instead. Your brain sends a powerful dopamine signal for that unexpected 300 yen difference.
The larger this “prediction error,” the more deeply the brain imprints that action into memory.
The problem is that gambling and speculation are inherently uncertain. Because results are unpredictable each time, the brain’s prediction system constantly calculates errors.
Winning creates positive prediction error and pleasure. Losing makes you adjust predictions for next time. This cycle has no end.
If predictions became certain, the brain would get bored. But as long as randomness exists, prediction errors continue forever.
More interesting is that the dopamine system keeps operating even when losing. The expectation itself that “next time might win” releases dopamine.
In other words, whether winning or losing, the brain’s learning circuit stays constantly active. This isn’t a matter of willpower. It’s the brain’s automatic response system to uncertainty itself.
Lessons for Today
This proverb teaches modern people about the importance of “the first step.” Addiction doesn’t start suddenly. It begins with small curiosity.
Carelessness like “just a little” or “I’ll be fine” can lead to irreversible consequences.
In modern society, the same mechanism works beyond gambling and speculation. Smartphone game purchases, social media addiction, and online shopping all operate similarly.
Technology keeps refining methods to stimulate human desire.
What matters is the courage to acknowledge your weakness. Overconfidence that “I’m rational so I’ll be fine” is most dangerous.
Rather, humbly accepting that “anyone can become addicted” helps you maintain appropriate distance.
If someone around you is addicted to something, try to understand them rather than blame them.
For yourself, take time to reflect regularly. Are you too obsessed with something? Is your life balanced? Such self-questioning becomes a shield protecting you.
Comments