How to Read “Catching neither the horsefly nor the bee”
Abu hachi torazu
Meaning of “Catching neither the horsefly nor the bee”
“Catching neither the horsefly nor the bee” means trying to get two things at once out of greed, and ending up with nothing.
This proverb is used when you face multiple attractive choices and can’t pick just one. You chase after both instead.
If you had focused on one thing, you might have succeeded. But you couldn’t give up on the other option either.
You split your effort between both goals. The result? You achieve neither.
Today, people use this saying in many situations. Someone applies to multiple industries during job hunting. Another person half-heartedly continues two hobbies at once.
Or someone wavers between two romantic interests. These are all examples.
What’s important is that this proverb doesn’t just describe failure. It teaches the importance of “selection and focus.”
To use your limited time and energy effectively, you sometimes need to give something up. This is the life wisdom contained in these words.
Origin and Etymology
Clear historical records about this proverb’s origin are limited. But we can make interesting observations from how the words are structured.
The pairing of “horsefly” and “bee” is not random. Both are flying insects that quickly escape when you try to catch them.
Horseflies were long known as pests that suck animal blood. Bees were recognized as dangerous insects that sting.
This proverb likely came from actual experiences trying to catch these insects. During farm work and daily life, people often dealt with these bugs.
While chasing one insect, another would appear. Trying greedily to catch both, you’d lose them both. Such experiences probably created this expression.
What’s interesting is how it ends with the negative form “torazu” (not catching). This emphasizes the failed result.
It serves as a warning against greedy behavior. The form makes it memorable for people.
Examples of this proverb appear in Edo period literature. This suggests it has at least several hundred years of history.
Interesting Facts
Horseflies and bees are biologically completely different insects. Horseflies belong to Diptera and are related to flies.
Bees belong to Hymenoptera and are closer to ants. But this proverb doesn’t focus on their biological differences.
Instead, it emphasizes their shared trait: “flying quickly and being hard to catch.” You can feel the sharp observation skills of our ancestors who created this saying.
Edo period proverb collections also record a similar saying: “He who chases two rabbits catches neither.”
Horseflies and bees, rabbits and rabbits. Using different creatures as examples while expressing the same human nature is fascinating.
Usage Examples
- I started a job change and side business at the same time, but both were half-hearted—catching neither the horsefly nor the bee
- I tried taking two certification exams simultaneously and caught neither the horsefly nor the bee, so this time I’ll focus on just one
Universal Wisdom
The proverb “Catching neither the horsefly nor the bee” has been passed down for hundreds of years. This is because it brilliantly captures fundamental human desires and weaknesses.
Humans have an instinctive desire for “more.” Even after getting one thing, we want another.
When two attractive choices appear before us, we don’t want to give up either. This isn’t necessarily bad. It’s also a sign of ambition and curiosity.
But humans also have limits—time, energy, and ability. The gap between “infinite desire” and “finite resources” is the essential human conflict this proverb points out.
What’s interesting is that this proverb doesn’t simply preach “don’t be greedy.” Instead, it shows the concrete result of failure.
You catch neither the horsefly nor the bee—meaning you get nothing. This depicts “loss,” which humans fear most.
The fear of not gaining something moves people more strongly than the desire to gain. Our ancestors understood this psychology deeply.
That’s why they didn’t offer moral lectures. Instead, they showed concrete examples of failure to teach future generations the importance of choice.
This proverb contains deep insight into human nature and a gentle warning.
When AI Hears This
When pursuing two goals simultaneously, people unconsciously choose a third option. This is the cold truth that game theory reveals.
Suppose your success rate for catching a horsefly is 60%, and for catching a bee is also 60%.
Common sense suggests that targeting both means you’ll probably get at least one. But in reality, splitting your attention drastically lowers both success rates.
If you can only focus 30% on the horsefly and 30% on the bee, each success rate might drop to around 20%. That means an 80% chance of losing both.
The key concept here is opportunity cost. Time spent chasing the horsefly while worrying about the bee means abandoning the success you could have had by focusing only on the horsefly.
At the same time, you’re abandoning the success you could have had by focusing only on the bee.
In other words, someone chasing two targets pays double costs—the cost of choosing the horsefly and the cost of choosing the bee—while gaining neither benefit.
In game theory, such half-hearted strategies are called “dominated strategies.” They’re choices that always lose to the strategy of picking just one.
Human intuition creates the illusion that “targeting both provides insurance.” But mathematically, it’s equivalent to making the most disadvantageous bet.
This proverb brilliantly captures that mathematical truth.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches modern you is the importance of “the courage to choose.”
Modern society overflows with choices. Open social media and you see someone’s success. You want to try many things yourself.
But you don’t need to have everything. What matters is identifying what’s truly valuable to you right now and focusing on it.
Choosing means letting go of something at the same time. That might feel lonely.
But only by pouring all your energy into one thing can you achieve real results.
Rather than half-heartedly chasing two things and losing both, securing one thing makes your life richer.
Of course, life is long. You can focus on one thing now, and when it bears fruit, move on to the next goal.
You don’t need to have everything at once.
This proverb gently tells you: don’t rush, let’s move forward steadily one step at a time.
Devote your limited time and energy to what truly matters to you.
Comments