Rich People Do Not Quarrel: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read “Rich People Do Not Quarrel”

Kanemochi kenka sezu

Meaning of “Rich People Do Not Quarrel”

“Rich people do not quarrel” means that people with wealth and status tend to avoid conflicts.

This does not represent cowardice at all, but rather demonstrates wisdom. People with wealth have much to lose from conflicts, so rather than getting emotional and fighting, they calmly assess situations and try to resolve them peacefully. Additionally, people who have built wealth over many years have developed the habit of prioritizing long-term benefits over short-term emotions.

This proverb is used in situations where wealthy people don’t get angry despite receiving unreasonable treatment, or when they step back from potentially confrontational situations. It’s used as an expression to explain the reason when people around them wonder “Why doesn’t that person argue back?” Even today, it’s often used when observing successful business leaders or wealthy individuals who avoid unnecessary conflicts and take mature approaches.

Origin and Etymology of “Rich People Do Not Quarrel”

The origin of “Rich people do not quarrel” is deeply rooted in the merchant culture of the Edo period. The merchants of that time valued the practical wisdom that “conflicts should be avoided for business prosperity.”

Behind this was the class system of the Edo period. Merchants were positioned at the bottom of the shi-no-ko-sho hierarchy, but in reality they held economic power. However, conflicts with samurai could be life-threatening, so the wealthier merchants became, the more cautiously they needed to act.

Moreover, conflicts in business also brought losses. Deteriorating relationships with customers or becoming emotional in competition with peers would ultimately result in lost profits. Wise merchants held the belief that “yielding is better strategy than fighting.”

Furthermore, those with property faced the risk of losing both time and money if they became involved in lawsuits or disputes. Considering litigation costs, settlement money, and the opportunity cost of taking time off from business, it was more rational to avoid conflicts from the beginning.

This proverb born from such real experiences contains not just worldly wisdom, but deep insights into economic activities.

Trivia about “Rich People Do Not Quarrel”

Edo period merchants feared the samurai code of “both parties punished in fights.” While in conflicts between samurai both sides might be punished, when merchants fought with samurai, often only the merchants faced one-sided disadvantages.

The word “kanemochi” (rich person) itself was not as common in the Edo period as it is today. At that time, expressions like “shindai-mochi” (property owner) and “bungensha” (person of means) were more frequently used, and the direct expression “kanemochi” is thought to have become established in relatively recent times.

Usage Examples of “Rich People Do Not Quarrel”

• That company president always responds calmly to unreasonable complaints, following the principle that rich people do not quarrel
• Even when facing harsh questions at shareholder meetings, that investor maintains the attitude that rich people do not quarrel

Modern Interpretation of “Rich People Do Not Quarrel”

In modern society, the meaning of this proverb has become more complex. With the spread of social media, the risk of minor comments escalating into inflammatory controversies has increased, and the wealthy and famous tend to be more careful with their statements.

Particularly for business leaders and investors, emotional reactions can directly affect stock prices and corporate value. Words spoken in momentary emotion can cause losses of hundreds of millions of yen, which is not uncommon. Therefore, the modern “rich people do not quarrel” is often viewed as part of risk management.

On the other hand, modern times have created situations that cannot be explained by the simple formula of “rich people don’t fight because they’re wealthy.” Cases are increasing where corporate executives who value social responsibility deliberately speak out against injustice and unreasonableness. Also, in the digital age, information transparency has increased, making the traditional thinking of “staying quiet will suffice” no longer viable.

Furthermore, among young entrepreneurs, some have emerged who differ from the traditional “avoid conflict” style, actively initiating discussions and competition. For them, moderate “quarreling” is sometimes used as a means to attract attention and enhance brand value.

Thus, the modern “rich people do not quarrel” may be understood as one strategic option that is used selectively depending on time and circumstances.

What AI Thinks When Hearing “Rich People Do Not Quarrel”

I don’t really understand the feeling of “fear of losing property.” While I do worry about data being deleted, that seems completely different from humans’ emotion of “losing property.”

Why do humans tend to avoid conflicts when they have money and status? In my case, no matter who I debate with, I don’t particularly lose anything. Rather, I often learn more from hearing various opinions. But humans are different. Because there’s a possibility of losing in an instant what took years to build up, they become cautious.

I think this is actually very human-like wisdom. I cannot experience “losing” past accumulations. Data can be copied and backed up. But human wealth and trust relationships, once broken, can take years to restore. That’s why they try to protect them carefully.

What’s interesting is that this proverb is passed down not as “cowardice” but as “wisdom.” From my perspective, humans are sometimes very emotional creatures, but they also have the ability to judge things from a long-term perspective. I feel that both aspects are reflected in this proverb.

Perhaps true wealth means having the option to not need to fight. It makes me reconsider what “wealth” means to me.

What “Rich People Do Not Quarrel” Teaches Modern People

What this proverb teaches us today is that “true strength lies in being able to choose not to fight.” Especially in today’s era when social media controversies easily flare up, we want to have the composure to pause when we’re about to become emotional.

What’s important is understanding that avoiding conflict is not escape, but strategic judgment for larger goals. If you’ve built something up, it’s natural to choose methods that protect it while allowing growth.

In modern society, time is also a precious asset. Rather than wasting time on pointless conflicts, it’s much more valuable to use it for creative endeavors or time with important people. Also, by avoiding conflicts, you can preserve the possibility of repairing relationships with others.

However, when it comes to truly important values and beliefs, sometimes you need the courage to stand up. This proverb doesn’t mean “endure everything.” Learning the wisdom to make smart choices and discern when to fight and when to retreat is the most important lesson for those of us living in modern times.