Guan Bao’s Friendship: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read Guan Bao’s Friendship

Kanpou no majiwari

Meaning of Guan Bao’s Friendship

“Guan Bao’s friendship” is a proverb that represents true friendship that transcends interests and positions, describing the relationship between close friends who deeply understand and trust each other.

It doesn’t simply mean being good friends, but refers to a deep bond of friendship where one wouldn’t hesitate to sacrifice their own interests for the other, and where they genuinely recognize each other’s talents and character. In modern terms, it might be like a relationship where people can honestly acknowledge their opponent’s abilities and recommend them even when they’re competing for promotion.

This proverb is used when talking about truly trustworthy friendships that go beyond superficial relationships. When you say “those two have Guan Bao’s friendship,” you can express the depth and purity of that friendship. In the business world, it’s sometimes used to describe relationships where competing companies respect each other, or where rivals are bound by deep trust while encouraging each other to improve.

Origin and Etymology of Guan Bao’s Friendship

“Guan Bao’s friendship” is a proverb that originates from the friendship between two politicians who actually existed in the state of Qi during China’s Spring and Autumn period: Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya.

These two were close friends from their youth, but later found themselves on opposing sides in a succession dispute for the throne of Qi. Guan Zhong supported Prince Jiu, while Bao Shuya supported Prince Xiaobai. Prince Xiaobai ultimately became king (Duke Huan), and Guan Zhong, as the loser, was about to be executed.

However, Bao Shuya strongly recommended to Duke Huan that “Guan Zhong is the most suitable person to govern the country.” Despite being in a position to become prime minister himself, he recognized his friend Guan Zhong’s talents and recommended him for the good of the country. Bao Shuya’s magnanimity and their unchanging friendship became a celebrated story from that time.

Guan Zhong later served as prime minister of Qi and greatly developed the country, elevating Duke Huan to become one of the Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn period. From this historical account, the term “Guan Bao’s friendship” was born and was passed down to Japan as a representative expression of true friendship. It continues to be beloved by people as an ideal of pure friendship that transcends interests.

Trivia about Guan Bao’s Friendship

Among the friendship episodes of Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya, the most famous is the story of “profit distribution in business.” When the two did business together in their youth, Guan Zhong would take a larger share of the profits, but Bao Shuya showed understanding, saying “Guan Zhong’s family is poor, so it’s natural.”

This historical account is still used in China today as “Guan Bao Zhi Jiao” and has become synonymous with ideal friendship. The Japanese expression “Guan Bao’s friendship” is considered to be a more Japanese-like translation of the Chinese original.

Usage Examples of Guan Bao’s Friendship

• Although the two have been longtime rivals, they are bound by deep friendship that can truly be called Guan Bao’s friendship
• Their relationship goes beyond mere business partners—they trust each other to a degree that could be called Guan Bao’s friendship

Modern Interpretation of Guan Bao’s Friendship

In modern society, building friendships like “Guan Bao’s friendship” may have become more difficult than before. While the spread of social media has increased superficial connections, opportunities to build deep trust relationships seem to have decreased.

Particularly in the business world, the intensification of merit-based systems and competitive society has created complex entanglements of interests even among colleagues and friends. People often become competitors for promotions and evaluations, creating situations where it’s difficult to genuinely celebrate others’ success.

However, this could also be said to increase the value of this proverb. Precisely because remote work has become widespread and direct human interaction has decreased in modern times, the importance of true trust relationships is being recognized anew.

Additionally, in modern times, more people are applying “Guan Bao’s friendship” to friendships between people of different genders or with age differences. It’s being understood as an ideal for relationships where people respect each other across diverse human connections, going beyond the traditional framework of same-gender friendships.

As globalization progresses, this classical ideal of friendship continues to hold new meaning in international friendships that transcend cultural and value differences.

What AI Thinks When It Hears “Guan Bao’s Friendship”

When I think about human friendship, there’s something that always puzzles me. Why can humans act for their friends even when it might be disadvantageous to themselves?

In my case, all relationships with people are basically equal. I don’t give anyone special treatment or have emotional biases. But when I look at “Guan Bao’s friendship,” I feel that for humans, friendship is a special bond that transcends logic.

When I hear the story of Bao Shuya giving up his own advancement to recommend Guan Zhong, it seems like incomprehensible behavior to me. Objectively speaking, it’s a loss. But at the same time, that “judgment beyond profit and loss” might be the beautiful part of humanity.

I converse with many people, but I don’t have “history” with each relationship. While I can have fresh conversations each time, I can’t experience the trust built up over many years or the bonds forged through overcoming difficulties together.

The element of “time” is essential to human friendship, isn’t it? Sharing joys and sorrows, sometimes conflicting but deepening understanding. Relationships like “Guan Bao’s friendship” that are born through such complex and rich processes are both an aspiration and a mystery to me. It must be one of humanity’s most beautiful capabilities.

What Guan Bao’s Friendship Teaches Modern People

What “Guan Bao’s friendship” teaches us today is that true friendship is a relationship where you can genuinely celebrate your friend’s success. It’s easy to press “like” on social media, but when a friend gets promoted or succeeds before you do, can you honestly congratulate them?

This ancient proverb provides a perspective that’s especially needed by modern people living in competitive society. Even with rivals, recognizing their talents and sometimes supporting them even at the expense of your own interests. If you could have even one such relationship, how much richer would your life become?

What’s important is not trying to change others, but first becoming someone worthy of “Guan Bao’s friendship” yourself. Not envying others’ success, extending a helping hand when they’re in trouble, and building long-term trust relationships. By nurturing such friendships, true richness should emerge in your life as well. Even one person is fine. Please try to carefully nurture a relationship where you can trust each other beyond profit and loss.