How to Read “Quick meal, quick shit, quick calculation”
Hayameshi hayakuso hayasanyō
Meaning of “Quick meal, quick shit, quick calculation”
This proverb teaches that handling everything quickly is the secret to business success. It uses everyday actions like eating, defecating, and calculating money as examples.
The proverb emphasizes the importance of doing all things swiftly. For merchants especially, not wasting time directly connects to profit.
If you spend too much time eating, you miss business opportunities. If your calculations are slow, you lose chances to make deals.
This proverb is mainly used when explaining the importance of efficiency in business and work. It’s used to encourage people who waste time to move more briskly.
In modern times, some avoid it as crude language. However, its essence connects to the universal lesson that “time is money.”
Even today in the business world, quick decisions and actions remain the key to success.
Origin and Etymology
The exact first appearance of this proverb in literature is unclear. However, it’s believed to have originated in merchant culture during the Edo period.
The rhythmic structure with three “quick” elements likely expressed the mindset of merchants at that time concisely.
“Quick meal” means finishing food rapidly. “Quick shit” means completing defecation promptly. “Quick calculation” means performing money calculations swiftly.
At first glance, including the word “shit” may seem vulgar. However, this reflects the frank expression characteristic of common people’s culture in the Edo period.
For merchants, time was literally money. Even physiological acts were targets for efficiency. This shows the thorough attitude of businesspeople back then.
The word “sanyō” (calculation) is particularly noteworthy. It didn’t just mean arithmetic. It referred to all aspects of money management in business.
In Edo period merchant houses, working from early morning to late night was normal. Eliminating all wasted time was considered the secret to prosperity.
Finish meals and defecation quickly, then return to work immediately. Most importantly, perform money calculations swiftly and accurately.
By listing these three things, the proverb expressed the ideal attitude for a merchant.
Usage Examples
- That shop is thriving because they practice “Quick meal, quick shit, quick calculation”
- He keeps “Quick meal, quick shit, quick calculation” in mind and creates no wasted time in his work
Universal Wisdom
Behind the passing down of “Quick meal, quick shit, quick calculation” lies deep insight about the value of time in human society.
Why do people seek efficiency? It’s because of humanity’s fundamental desire to accomplish more within limited time.
What makes this proverb interesting is that even physiological acts become targets for efficiency. Eating and defecation are actions you might think should be done slowly.
Yet the proverb declares even these should be “quick.” This shows the determination needed to survive in the harsh competitive world of business.
Our ancestors knew that to succeed, you must be conscious of time in every moment of daily life.
At the same time, this proverb contains calm observation of human nature. People tend toward laziness when left alone. They spend more time than necessary on things.
They drag out meals, postpone calculations, and before they know it, the day is over. Understanding this human weakness, the proverb uses extreme expression deliberately.
It creates a strong impression and prompts action. Across time, how humans face time never changes.
When AI Hears This
Inside the human body between 6 and 9 AM, multiple biological systems start up with surprising precision in coordination.
First, when you receive light, a brain region called the suprachiasmatic nucleus activates. This sends a “morning has come” signal to cells throughout your body.
Then in the stomach and intestines, digestive enzyme secretion rapidly increases. Simultaneously, the pancreas enters a state where insulin releases easily.
In other words, morning is the time when your body can process food most efficiently.
Even more interesting is that along with this digestive system activation, neurotransmitters that promote intestinal peristalsis are also secreted.
That’s why eating breakfast naturally encourages bowel movements. This mechanism is called the gastrocolic reflex. When food enters the stomach, the large intestine starts moving in a chain reaction.
And the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which handles calculation and judgment, also reaches peak alertness with morning light.
Cortisol, an awakening hormone, peaks 30 minutes after waking. Logical thinking ability reaches its highest point.
The essence of this proverb is presenting a biological strategy. It says to utilize the morning hours when eating, defecation, and thinking are simultaneously optimized by one conductor called the circadian rhythm.
People in the Edo period didn’t know about the body clock. Yet they brilliantly verbalized this complex system coordination.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches modern you is the essence of how to use time in life. You don’t need to do everything perfectly.
What matters is discerning what deserves your time.
In modern society, countless elements steal your time. Scrolling through social media, attending meaningless meetings, and more.
In this context, the proverb gives clear guidance. Finish low-priority activities quickly. Focus your time and energy on activities that truly create value.
Look back at your day. How much time did you actually spend on truly important things?
Are you looking at your phone while eating, making both half-hearted? This proverb teaches using time with clear distinction.
Finish what you must do with focus and speed. Pour full effort into what’s important. This attitude leads to a fulfilling life.
Time is equal for everyone and finite. How will you use that precious time?
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