How to Read “The pleasure of poverty is the pleasure of sleep”
hin no tanoshimi wa ne tanoshimi
Meaning of “The pleasure of poverty is the pleasure of sleep”
“The pleasure of poverty is the pleasure of sleep” means that for poor people, the greatest pleasure is sleeping. When you have no money, eating delicious food or going out for fun becomes difficult.
In such situations, sleep is the one pleasure equally available to everyone. This is what the proverb expresses.
This saying is used when talking about the reality of poor living. It describes situations where you can’t spend money on entertainment or when life is so hard you can’t find other pleasures.
Sometimes people use it to speak self-mockingly about their own circumstances.
In modern times, entertainment options have increased dramatically, but the essence of this proverb remains unchanged. When times are economically tough, people rediscover the value of free pleasures.
Sleep restores your mind and body without costing money. It temporarily frees you from harsh reality. It’s a time of peace open to everyone.
Origin and Etymology
The exact first appearance of this proverb in literature is unclear. However, it’s believed to have emerged from the daily lives of common people during the Edo period.
Looking at the expression “pleasure of poverty,” we can see the Japanese spirit of finding joy even in hardship. During the Edo period, most common people lived far from wealthy lives.
For entertainment, expensive activities like watching theater or eating out were rarely possible. In such circumstances, the one pleasure everyone could equally enjoy was “sleeping.”
Sleeping requires no money or tools. It helps you forget hunger and heals your tired body.
Furthermore, in dreams, social status and wealth don’t matter. A free world opens up. For poor people, sleep held meaning beyond mere rest.
This phrase carries tones of irony and self-mockery. It can be interpreted as expressing the reality that “poor people have no pleasure except sleep” with humor.
Yet at the same time, you can feel a resilient life force. It shows that even in poverty, humans have pleasures.
The spirit of Edo’s common people, who found laughter even in hardship, is condensed in this proverb.
Interesting Facts
Sleep is one of the three basic human desires. But unlike hunger or sexual desire, it’s relatively difficult to greatly change its quality with money.
Luxury bedding exists, but for an exhausted body, you can fall into deep sleep regardless of location. In this sense, sleep is one of the most equal pleasures.
Common people in the Edo period lived with earlier bedtimes and wake times than modern people. Once the sun set, lamp oil was expensive, so many people went to bed early.
There may have been an ironic reality where poorer people could sleep longer.
Usage Examples
- My wallet is empty before payday. “The pleasure of poverty is the pleasure of sleep” is well said indeed.
- My frugal lifestyle continues, but with “the pleasure of poverty is the pleasure of sleep,” sleeping soundly on weekends has become my greatest pleasure.
Universal Wisdom
“The pleasure of poverty is the pleasure of sleep” poses a fundamental question about what human happiness really is. We seek prosperity and work hard to obtain more things.
However, this proverb shows a truth. The most basic pleasures actually exist where money cannot buy them.
The act of sleeping is a right equally given to all people. It’s also an essential activity. No matter how poor or how much you suffer, you can sleep.
And while sleeping, we’re freed from the pain of reality. We can become free in our dreams.
This proverb has been passed down for so long because it shows the fundamental equality of humans. Rich or poor, powerful or common, before sleep we’re all the same human beings.
The comfort of lying down your tired body and feeling consciousness fade away is equally sweet for everyone.
Also, this proverb reveals human resilience in surviving difficult situations. If there’s no pleasure, just sleep. The flexibility to accept this is human strength.
Even without luxury, people can find joy in living. That universal truth is condensed in these short words.
When AI Hears This
The act of sleeping is a surprisingly efficient choice. It has zero monetary cost, temporarily eliminates hunger, and advances time. From a behavioral economics perspective, this is a perfect example of “satisficing.”
Herbert Simon’s bounded rationality theory says humans don’t seek perfect optimal solutions. Instead, they choose solutions that feel “good enough” within their constraints.
In poor situations, all alternatives cost money. Spending money on entertainment, going out and paying social expenses, eating something to distract from hunger—all require costs.
Meanwhile, sleeping restores physical strength, eliminates the sensation of hunger, and skips boring time. It’s a multi-purpose solution that simultaneously solves multiple problems with zero input resources.
Modern research shows that too many choices cause decision fatigue and actually lower happiness. The constraint of poverty paradoxically narrows options and reduces decision costs.
Finding satisfaction in the simple act of sleeping is actually a state of extremely low cognitive load.
Modern people exhausted by information overload find value in minimalism, which deliberately reduces choices. This is essentially the same strategy as this Edo period wisdom.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches modern people is that happiness doesn’t necessarily exist outside ourselves. We tend to keep running after better things.
But actually, the most basic pleasures may already be in our hands.
Modern society is filled with values that say happiness comes from consumption. However, many people who experience economically difficult periods realize the importance of pleasures that cost no money.
Quality sleep and slow rest time can have value surpassing any expensive entertainment.
If you’re tired from being chased by something now, remember this proverb. Even if you can’t obtain everything, you can get sufficient sleep.
And the refreshing morning after sleeping well will give you new perspective and vitality. Happiness doesn’t exist far away. It dwells in the basic activities of daily life.
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