How to Read “A jewel of harsh words is hard to polish”
Akugen no tama wa migaki gatashi
Meaning of “A jewel of harsh words is hard to polish”
This proverb means that when you say mean things about others, you damage your own reputation. That damage is very hard to fix.
Once bad words leave your mouth, you can’t take them back. Even if you try hard to fix things, it’s like trying to polish a broken jewel.
The fact that you said something mean stays in people’s memories. It lowers how others see you and whether they trust you.
You use this proverb when someone is about to criticize others out of anger. Or when someone might say something without thinking first.
Saying “A jewel of harsh words is hard to polish” reminds people to stop and think. It helps them consider the long-term effects of their words.
In today’s world, words spread instantly on social media. Once you post something, you can’t completely erase it. It stays as a digital record forever.
This proverb’s lesson is even more important now than before. It reminds us to choose our words carefully.
Origin and Etymology
There are no clear historical records about where this proverb came from. But we can learn interesting things by looking at the words used.
Let’s focus on the word “jewel.” In Japan, people have always believed jewels become valuable when polished. A rough stone doesn’t shine at first.
But when you polish it carefully, it becomes a beautiful gem. The act of “polishing” has also been used as a symbol for improving yourself.
However, this proverb talks about a “jewel of harsh words.” It compares saying mean things to a jewel that has been ruined.
Normal jewels become beautiful when polished. But a jewel stained by harsh words can’t get its shine back, no matter how much you polish it.
This idea might come from Buddhist teachings about “speech karma.” Buddhism teaches about three types of actions: body, speech, and mind.
Buddhist teachings especially stress how important the words you speak are. Once you say something, you can’t undo it. The effects last a long time.
This proverb is clever because it uses the image of a jewel that can’t be polished. It shows the power of words and how responsible we must be.
Usage Examples
- He lost people’s trust after one careless comment. A jewel of harsh words is hard to polish—even years later, people still treat him coldly.
- Before posting angry words on social media, I should have remembered: a jewel of harsh words is hard to polish.
Universal Wisdom
People have passed down “A jewel of harsh words is hard to polish” for a long time. It points out two truths about human nature.
First, it shows our basic weakness. Second, it shows that words can’t be reversed once spoken.
When people get emotional, they want to let out their anger, jealousy, or frustration in words. At that moment, speaking feels like it will relieve stress.
But once you say something, you can’t take it back. The moment words leave your mouth, they enter the listener’s heart. They become part of how people remember you.
What’s interesting is that this proverb focuses on how harsh words affect YOU, not others. It’s not just about hurting the person you insult.
The person who says mean things actually suffers the biggest loss. This shows deep wisdom about how human society really works.
People judge your character by watching what you say and do. Even if you do good things later, it’s hard to erase the impression of bad words.
Our ancestors learned through experience that reputation takes time to build. But it can collapse in an instant.
This proverb expresses that harsh reality through the beautiful image of a jewel that can’t be polished. It continues to teach us how heavy our words are.
When AI Hears This
How harsh words destroy reputation can be explained by the law of entropy. Entropy means “the level of disorder.”
In physics, things naturally move from order to chaos. But going backward requires huge amounts of energy.
For example, drop one drop of ink into water. It spreads throughout in seconds. That’s entropy increasing.
But taking that one drop of ink back out of the dirty water is nearly impossible. Harsh words work the same way.
Once you say something bad, the reputation spreads from person to person. It spreads throughout society. This information spreads incredibly fast.
What’s interesting is that reducing entropy—fixing a damaged reputation—takes tens or hundreds of times more energy than spreading it did.
Research shows you need 5 to 10 good comments to cancel out one bad comment. This matches physics laws perfectly.
Restoring order requires many times more effort than breaking it down did.
Even more important is that information entropy has “memory residue.” Even when things look completely fixed, traces remain somewhere in the system.
This is why lost trust never fully returns. It’s a physical limitation.
Lessons for Today
This proverb teaches us the importance of “taking a breath” before speaking.
In the digital age, we can instantly send words to the whole world. But this convenience also increases the danger of making mistakes we can’t fix.
Before sending a message or clicking the post button, stop for just a few seconds. Think about what you’re about to say. This habit protects you.
The important thing is not to see this proverb as a reason to “fear words.” Instead, use it as wisdom to “value words.”
Not saying mean things isn’t just about holding back. It’s an active choice to protect your own value and build long-term trust.
When you get emotional or want to criticize someone, remember this proverb. Do you really need to say those words right now?
Will you be happier after saying them than you are now? Words are an important part of who you are.
Don’t create jewels that can’t be polished. Instead, choose a life where you carefully polish beautiful, shining jewels.
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