How to Read “People never tire of people, but they tire of illness”
Hito ni wa akanu ga yamai ni aku
Meaning of “People never tire of people, but they tire of illness”
This proverb reveals a truth about human psychology. Human desires have no limits, but illness is the one exception.
We usually want more of everything. Money, status, possessions, and honor—we always feel we need more. No matter how much we get, we never feel satisfied. We just keep chasing the next goal. That’s human nature.
But when we get sick, everything changes. Even the greediest person wants illness to end quickly. They genuinely wish for it to be over. No one ever wants more sickness.
This proverb criticizes our endless desires. But it also teaches us how precious health is. People use it to warn against greed. They also use it to remind others to appreciate good health.
Today, this saying still helps us notice something important. It shows the gap between what we chase every day and what truly matters.
Origin and Etymology
The exact source of this proverb is unclear. But its structure reveals something fascinating. The verb “aku” appears twice with different meanings. This creates the proverb’s cleverness.
In the first part, “hito ni wa akanu,” the word “aku” means to be satisfied or fulfilled. It shows how human desires never end. We always want more, no matter what we already have.
In the second part, “yamai ni aku,” the same word “aku” means to grow tired of something or to be fed up. Using the same word in contrasting ways brilliantly highlights the contradiction in human psychology.
This expression likely came from common people during the Edo period. People back then experienced both human greed and desperate feelings about illness in their daily lives.
Medical care was undeveloped at that time. Illness could easily lead to death. It was a serious matter. That’s why even greedy people desperately wanted their sickness to end quickly. This urgency became embedded in the saying.
The proverb has a playful quality, like a word game. Yet it sharply captures human nature. It shows the richness of the Japanese language.
Usage Examples
- That person wants everything, but when he caught a cold, “People never tire of people, but they tire of illness”—he made a huge fuss wanting to get better immediately
- He’s always been ambitious about promotions, but after being hospitalized, “People never tire of people, but they tire of illness”—now he only talks about wanting to be healthy again
Universal Wisdom
This proverb speaks to the very structure of human desire. We may be creatures who never know satisfaction. We always want a better life, higher status, and more wealth.
One goal after another appears. Even when we achieve something, the next target immediately comes into view. This cycle never seems to end.
But illness reverses this mechanism of desire. Pain makes us feel differently. Instead of “I want more,” we think “I want this to end.” Illness is one of the few experiences that triggers this opposite reaction.
This contrast makes the proverb deeply memorable. It forces us to think about what drives us.
Why do people only tire of illness? Because illness is suffering that strikes regardless of our will. We can choose what we desire and pursue it. But we cannot choose illness.
We have no control over this suffering. That’s why we genuinely feel “I don’t want this anymore.” The lack of control makes all the difference.
Our ancestors captured this subtle aspect of human psychology perfectly. They put it into words beautifully. The proverb quietly asks us what truly matters. It reminds us about health—a treasure so ordinary we usually don’t notice it.
When AI Hears This
The human brain has two neural circuits: the reward system and the aversion system. These two are surprisingly asymmetric in design. The reward system responds to delicious food and enjoyable experiences.
But with repeated stimulation, dopamine release rapidly decreases. For example, the excitement of eating premium sushi for the first time drops by half if you eat it every day for a week. This is habituation—the true nature of getting used to things.
The brain uses an energy-saving design. It doesn’t waste energy on stimuli that have already been confirmed as safe.
The aversion system works differently. The amygdala and insula process pain and discomfort. These areas resist habituation. Brain imaging studies of people with chronic back pain or headaches show something remarkable.
Even after years, activity in pain-related areas doesn’t decrease. This is a product of evolution. Individuals who became accustomed to danger signals didn’t survive.
If you get stomach pain from poisonous mushrooms, your body must send the same warning the second and third time. Otherwise, your life is at risk.
Even more interesting is the ratio between reward habituation speed and aversion persistence. One study found that responses to pleasant stimuli decrease by half after just 3 to 7 repetitions.
But responses to unpleasant stimuli only decrease by about 20 percent even after hundreds of repetitions. This neural circuit asymmetry explains why people constantly seek new stimulation. It also explains why we never get used to illness or pain.
Lessons for Today
This proverb teaches us to notice the real happiness in our daily lives. Every day, we chase better jobs, higher income, and more wonderful lifestyles. We scroll through social media and see other people’s glamorous lives.
We start focusing only on what we lack. The comparison never ends.
But stop and think for a moment. Are you healthy right now? Can you walk without pain? Can you enjoy your meals? If so, you possess something irreplaceable. It’s a treasure beyond measure.
Many people only realize how precious their ordinary days were after they get sick. They finally understand what they had taken for granted.
This proverb teaches us not to wait until we lose something. It tells us to appreciate the blessings of this very moment. Having desires isn’t bad. Ambition can drive us forward.
But don’t forget the value of the health and peaceful days you already have. Before chasing your next goal, try something simple. Feel a small sense of gratitude for getting through today without pain.
That gratitude can be the first step toward a richer life. It changes how you see everything around you.
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