How to Read “No night lasts forever without morning coming”
Asa no konai yoru wa nai
Meaning of “No night lasts forever without morning coming”
This proverb means that no matter how painful or difficult your situation is, the hardship won’t last forever. An end will come, and a time of hope will arrive.
Everyone experiences periods in life when the future seems invisible, like being in complete darkness. Illness, job loss, relationship troubles, or failure can all create this feeling.
The despair and loneliness you feel during these times is exactly like the darkness of night. But just as morning always comes because of Earth’s rotation, every difficulty in life has an ending.
People use this proverb to encourage someone who is suffering or to give themselves hope. Even today, it applies to many situations like failing an exam, struggling with job hunting, or losing someone important.
The saying expresses a positive mindset that even though things are hard now, time can solve problems and situations will definitely change. It serves as emotional support for many people.
Origin and Etymology
The exact origin of this proverb in historical texts hasn’t been identified. However, based on its structure, it’s considered an expression that overlays a universal truth of nature onto a life lesson.
Because of Earth’s rotation as a physical law, morning always arrives no matter how long the night lasts. This absolute natural principle is deeply connected to the Japanese view of nature.
The idea of comparing human suffering and hardship to this unchangeable fact reflects traditional Japanese culture. Since ancient times, Japanese culture has found life’s truths within nature’s workings.
People developed a sensitivity to see their lives reflected in nature’s cycles. The changing seasons, the waxing and waning moon, and the ebb and flow of tides all became mirrors for human existence.
The contrast between “night” and “morning” was especially suitable for symbolizing human psychological states. Darkness and light, despair and hope fit perfectly into this metaphor.
In the darkness of night, you can’t see ahead and feel anxious. But morning light will definitely come. This simple, clear fact became a powerful message giving hope to people in suffering.
Some say this proverb became especially popular during the difficult post-war period. It has continued to encourage people across different eras.
Usage Examples
- I was depressed after failing my entrance exam, but I believed that no night lasts forever without morning coming and worked hard during my gap year
- I’m failing repeatedly at work right now, but no night lasts forever without morning coming, so I won’t give up
Universal Wisdom
Humans cannot live without hope. This proverb has been passed down through generations because people fundamentally need to believe in an “ending.”
The moment suffering feels eternal, the human heart breaks. But with the conviction that “an end will definitely come,” people can endure surprisingly difficult hardships.
This is a fundamental characteristic of human psychology. Just as marathon runners can keep going by focusing on the finish line, we gain strength to move forward by believing in the end of our suffering.
What’s interesting is that this proverb bases itself on an “absolute truth” of natural phenomena. Earth’s rotation doesn’t stop regardless of human will or effort.
This unshakable fact gives the words persuasive power. Our ancestors found unchangeable life truths within unchangeable natural laws.
This proverb also teaches the value of “waiting.” Modern people tend to seek instant solutions. But sometimes the passage of time itself brings resolution.
The importance of not rushing, of believing and waiting. This is human wisdom that transcends time.
When AI Hears This
This proverb actually conflicts directly with physical laws. According to the second law of thermodynamics, entropy in the universe always increases. That means disorder constantly grows.
Milk poured into coffee mixes on its own but never separates again. A room left alone only gets messier. Following this law, naturally returning from night’s disordered state to morning’s ordered state shouldn’t be possible.
But Earth is different. Earth isn’t a closed system. It’s an open system receiving about 174 petawatts of energy from the sun every second.
That’s 174 trillion kilowatts. This massive energy inflow maintains Earth’s rotation, circulates the atmosphere, and reliably brings morning.
In other words, morning comes not because of hope or positive thinking, but because of physical phenomena powered by the sun as an external energy source.
Human hardship has the same structure. In a closed system, meaning when you’re isolated and carrying everything alone, entropy keeps increasing and situations worsen.
But when you take in energy from outside, meaning accepting help from others or new information, the system opens and recovery becomes physically possible.
The truth of this proverb is a fact guaranteed by thermodynamics. If you don’t isolate yourself, situations will definitely change.
Lessons for Today
What “No night lasts forever without morning coming” teaches us today is the strength to never let go of hope, even in despair.
In an era when social media constantly shows other people’s successes, making you feel left behind, this saying’s value has only increased.
What matters is understanding that difficulties are temporary. Today’s failure won’t necessarily continue tomorrow. This month’s suffering won’t necessarily exist in the same form next month.
Situations always change. You change too. And the world keeps changing as well.
Specifically, treasure small daily routines especially during hard times. Wake up and wash your face. Listen to music you like. Eat something warm.
These small actions help you feel “time continuing” within yourself. Time flowing means situations are flowing too.
Even when things seem stuck, something is definitely moving.
And remember this. The night you’re enduring now will someday become wisdom that lights someone else’s morning. The experience you overcome will definitely have meaning.
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