How to Read “The closer to the east, the farther from the west”
Higashi ni chikakereba nishi ni tōi
Meaning of “The closer to the east, the farther from the west”
“The closer to the east, the farther from the west” means that if something is convenient for one side, it becomes inconvenient for the other. It’s difficult to satisfy both sides at the same time.
This proverb is also used to express something that is too obvious to even mention.
This saying is mainly used in situations where interests conflict. For example, when two groups have completely opposing opinions, satisfying one group’s demands will leave the other group dissatisfied.
People trying to maintain a neutral position use these words to express how difficult that is.
In modern society, we face many situations where we must balance different people’s interests. This happens at work and at home. Bosses and employees, parents and children, sellers and buyers.
Perfectly satisfying everyone is as impossible as moving closer to both east and west at the same time. This proverb expresses the fundamental difficulty of human relationships through a simple directional relationship.
Origin and Etymology
The exact origin of this proverb is unclear. However, the structure of the words itself eloquently tells its meaning.
Expressions using east and west as opposite directions have been used not only in Japan but around the world. They show conflict and contradictory qualities in things.
As a geographic fact, the more you move toward the east, the farther you get from the west. This is a self-evident truth that everyone can understand.
This proverb overlays this simple geographic fact onto the complex conflicts of interest and difficulties of balance in human society.
What’s interesting is that this proverb has two different meanings. One shows the conflict of interests: “if it’s convenient for one side, it’s inconvenient for the other.”
The other meaning indicates “something too obvious to mention.” The former expresses the difficulty of human relationships, while the latter expresses the self-evidence of things.
Perhaps people first used this geographic fact as an example of “something obvious.” Then gradually it came to express the difficulty of human relationships and balancing interests.
A simple directional relationship evolved into words that speak to deep truths about life.
Usage Examples
- If we increase the budget, quality improves but the deadline gets delayed. The closer to the east, the farther from the west—we can’t satisfy everything.
- My parents have completely opposite opinions and I’m caught in the middle. This is exactly what “the closer to the east, the farther from the west” means.
Universal Wisdom
“The closer to the east, the farther from the west” speaks to a fundamental dilemma in human society. We all want to make everyone happy and solve every problem.
But in reality, when we gain something, we lose something else. When we please someone, we sadden someone else.
Our ancestors saw this unavoidable truth in the relationship between east and west.
This wisdom has been passed down through generations because humans constantly seek perfection. Parents want to be both strict and kind to their children. Business leaders want to pursue both profit and social contribution.
Politicians want to satisfy all citizens. However, achieving two opposing goals at the same time is fundamentally impossible.
The deep insight of this proverb teaches us the importance of accepting this impossibility. Rather than suffering while seeking perfection, we should accept the difficulty of balance.
We must understand the reality that choosing one side means sacrificing the other. This isn’t resignation but practical wisdom. It smooths human relationships and makes life easier for ourselves.
Just as the distance between east and west never changes, the fundamental trade-offs in life never change either.
When AI Hears This
Picture a globe. If you keep going east from Japan, you cross the Pacific Ocean, pass through the Americas, cross the Atlantic, and eventually reach Europe.
If you continue east, you’ll eventually come back to Japan from the west side. On a sphere, “closer to the east” and “farther from the west” cannot both be true at the same time.
This phenomenon shows that our usual concept of “distance” actually assumes a flat surface. On a flat map, New York is about 10,000 kilometers east of Tokyo and about 20,000 kilometers going west.
But measuring the shortest distance on a sphere, going east or west will theoretically bring you to the same point after one complete circle. The properties as a distance space are fundamentally different.
Even more interesting are special places like the North Pole. Standing at the North Pole, every direction is south. East and west don’t exist there.
In other words, there’s a real place where the premise “closer to the east” doesn’t even apply.
This proverb functions as truth because we actually live within a local flat approximation. Within a few kilometers of daily life, Earth’s curvature can be ignored, so flat geometry’s common sense works.
But if we broaden our view, we see that spatial perception we thought was obvious is merely limited truth under special conditions.
Lessons for Today
This proverb teaches modern people liberation from perfectionism. Through social media and mass media, we see people who seem to have everything.
They perfectly manage work, family, and hobbies, and everyone likes them. However, the truth that “the closer to the east, the farther from the west” teaches us that such perfect states don’t exist.
What matters is deciding for yourself what to prioritize. If you prioritize your career, time with family might decrease. If you value friendships, your personal time will become less.
That’s not failure—it’s the path you chose.
This proverb also teaches tolerance toward others. When you’re dissatisfied with someone’s decision, understanding that they had to prioritize someone else can soften your anger.
Bosses, parents, and politicians are all struggling between east and west.
Life is a series of choices. Rather than exhausting yourself trying to have everything, identify which direction—east or west—you want to go right now.
That courage is the first step toward a fulfilling life.
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