How to Read “A centipede does not fall even in death”
Mukade no mushi wa shishite taorezu
Meaning of “A centipede does not fall even in death”
This proverb means that things with strong foundations do not easily perish. Just as a centipede supports its body with many legs, organizations, families, or businesses with solid foundations and multiple supports will not completely collapse even when they suffer temporary setbacks.
This saying is used when long-established companies face temporary economic downturns, when prestigious families encounter difficulties, or when strong organizations come under external attack.
Even when a situation appears critical on the surface, there are invisible foundations built over many years. These include trust, networks, skills, and assets that prevent complete collapse.
Today, this proverb often describes a company’s underlying strength or an organization’s resilience. Even when a crisis seems fatal, the organization can overcome it if it has essential strength.
The expression carries hope, suggesting that true strength lies beneath the surface.
Origin and Etymology
This proverb comes from observing the strong vitality of centipedes, creatures with a hundred legs. Centipedes have been familiar to Japanese people since ancient times, and their remarkable life force has long been a subject of observation.
The phrase “does not fall even in death” carries deep meaning. When you observe an actual centipede, even after suffering fatal wounds, it does not immediately fall. Its legs continue moving for some time.
This happens because of the centipede’s many legs and segmented body structure. Even when one part is damaged, the entire function does not stop instantly.
From this observation, people drew lessons about organizational and foundational strength. Just as a centipede’s body is supported by many segments and legs, things with solid foundations continue functioning even when one or two parts are damaged.
No specific first written source has been identified. However, similar expressions appear in Chinese classics, suggesting the proverb formed through continental influence combined with uniquely Japanese observation and experience.
This proverb reflects our ancestors’ insight in reading human society’s truths from nature’s creatures.
Interesting Facts
Centipedes are not actually insects but arthropods belonging to the Myriapoda subphylum. The number of legs varies by species, but they always have an odd number of leg pairs.
Despite the name “hundred legs,” no centipede actually has a hundred legs. Even species with the most legs have only several dozen pairs.
During Japan’s Warring States period, centipedes were valued by warriors as auspicious creatures. This was because they “only move forward and never retreat.”
Many military commanders used centipede designs on their helmets and battle flags. The creature’s strength and persistence were associated with the samurai spirit.
Usage Examples
- That long-established inn is said to be in financial crisis, but a centipede does not fall even in death—with over a hundred years of trust, they will surely recover
- People made a fuss when one of the prestigious conglomerates went bankrupt, but a centipede does not fall even in death—their affiliated companies and assets remain intact, so their influence continues
Universal Wisdom
Behind this proverb lies a deep understanding of the value of “accumulation” in human society. The strength of foundations that cannot be built overnight includes trust cultivated over time, human connections, accumulated skills, and above all, wisdom gained from experience.
People tend to be captivated by visible results and glamorous success. But true strength resides in parts that do not appear on the surface.
Just as a centipede’s many legs are individually thin but collectively form strong support, the true power of organizations and individuals comes from countless small efforts and accumulated relationships.
This proverb also contains the universal theme of “hope in crisis.” Even the strongest things sometimes receive what appears to be a fatal blow.
However, if the foundation is truly solid, life force remains inside even when something appears to have fallen on the surface. This trust in “invisible strength” is the experiential knowledge of people who have survived difficult times.
Our ancestors knew this truth: truly valuable things are not so fragile that they disappear with a single failure or crisis.
Therefore, this proverb quietly yet powerfully continues to convey the importance of valuing daily steady accumulation and strengthening invisible foundations.
When AI Hears This
A centipede having 100 legs is not wasteful but an extremely rational design. For example, if a creature with 10 legs loses 2, that’s a 20 percent function loss. But if 2 out of 100 are lost, it’s only a 2 percent loss.
This is a concept called “redundancy rate” in engineering. The design philosophy is to provide more backups for more important functions.
What’s interesting is that this redundancy has an optimal balance between cost and effectiveness. Aircraft typically have 2 or 4 engines, not 100. That’s because weight and maintenance costs would exceed the benefits.
But centipede legs are lightweight, and their nervous system is distributed, so there’s little burden on central control. In other words, because they are “parts that can be deployed in large quantities cheaply,” extreme redundancy works.
More noteworthy is that the centipede’s nervous system is not “complete centralization” but a distributed system of “semi-autonomous control of each body segment.” This matches the Internet’s design philosophy—a structure where the whole doesn’t stop functioning even if parts break.
The body continues moving even when the head is damaged because decision-making authority is distributed to each part.
This biological design perfectly matches the theoretical basis for modern cloud servers being distributed worldwide. Ancient people grasped the essence of optimal system design for survival without microscopes or computers.
Lessons for Today
For us living in modern times, this proverb teaches the value of “invisible assets.” Rather than being elated or disappointed by superficial success like the number of social media “likes” or temporary sales increases, what truly matters is the trust relationships you build daily, the skills you continue polishing, and the experience you cultivate.
If you’re working on something now, you don’t need to worry just because results don’t come immediately. Rather, steadily building foundations in multiple areas will become the strength to endure future difficulties.
Human relationships, work skills, and health are all countless legs supporting “your existence.”
And if you’re experiencing major setbacks or failures now, what you’ve accumulated so far has not disappeared. Even if you appear to have fallen on the surface, a solid foundation remains within you.
Believe in that invisible strength and have the courage to stand up again. What is truly solid does not easily perish.
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