How to Read “Footprints don’t remain, but the marks of a brush do”
Ashi no ato wa tsukanu ga fude no ato wa nokoru
Meaning of “Footprints don’t remain, but the marks of a brush do”
This proverb means that words and things written down remain as evidence and never disappear.
Footprints left by people walking fade away over time. But things written in words continue to remain for a long time afterward.
In other words, once you write something down, you cannot take it back. It remains forever as evidence. This is a warning to be careful.
This proverb is especially used when writing promises, contracts, or criticism and bad words about others. A letter or document written carelessly can become evidence that troubles you later.
Words written in emotion can also cast a shadow over your relationship with someone for a long time.
In modern times, “the marks of a brush” includes not just letters but also emails and social media posts. In the digital age, this teaching has become even more important than before.
Written things can be easily copied, spread, and potentially remain forever. This proverb teaches us to think carefully before writing something down. We must ask ourselves if we really want it to remain.
Origin and Etymology
No clear written record of this proverb’s origin seems to remain. However, we can make interesting observations from the structure of the words.
The contrasting expressions “footprints” and “the marks of a brush” form the core of this proverb.
Footprints left by walking disappear when rain falls on dirt. They disappear when wind blows on sand. Footprints were chosen as a symbol of temporary things that naturally vanish over time.
On the other hand, “the marks of a brush” refers to things recorded in writing. In Japan since ancient times, things written in words carried special weight.
The letter culture continuing from the Heian period, documents and contracts from the Edo period—written words had legal power. They had the power to define human relationships.
Particularly noteworthy is Japanese people’s awareness of the difference between verbal promises and written documents. Verbal exchanges easily become “he said, she said” arguments.
But things left in writing become undeniable evidence. The wisdom born from this social experience is condensed in this proverb.
The choice of the word “brush” also has deep meaning. By expressing it as “the marks of a brush” rather than simply “written things,” it emphasizes the weight of the act of writing.
It emphasizes the weight of responsibility—once you write something, you cannot erase it.
Usage Examples
- Before signing the contract, let me read it carefully one more time, since footprints don’t remain, but the marks of a brush do
- I was about to send an angry email, but footprints don’t remain, but the marks of a brush do, so I decided to wait overnight and reconsider
Universal Wisdom
The universal truth this proverb speaks is about human actions. Some things disappear and some things don’t. Understanding this distinction is important.
Most of human activities disappear over time. Yesterday’s conversation, this morning’s events, what you were thinking about a moment ago.
Our daily lives constantly flow away in the stream of time. They disappear one after another into the realm of forgetting. This is also a salvation for humans.
If we remembered everything, our hearts would be crushed under the burden of the past.
But things recorded in writing are different. They are separated from the flow of time and fixed in place.
The emotions at the moment of writing, the judgment at that time, the promises exchanged—they are preserved in their original form. Humans are beings who can change, grow, and reconsider their thoughts.
But written words do not change. There lies a fundamental contradiction between humans and records.
Our ancestors deeply understood this contradiction. That’s why they were cautious about the act of writing. They thought carefully before putting things into words.
Words dissolve into the air and disappear the moment they are spoken. But written words remain as if carved in stone.
Knowing this difference means understanding the essence of taking responsibility for your words and actions.
This proverb teaches us caution and sincerity. It does so through the contrast between the uncertainty of human memory and the certainty of records.
When AI Hears This
Footprints disappear because particles of sand or dirt move randomly with wind and rain. The information of the original shape is lost. This is a phenomenon following the second law of thermodynamics.
Ordered states always move toward disordered states. For example, footprints on a beach disappear in a few hours. This means billions of sand grains lose the memory of their original arrangement.
But written words remain through a completely different mechanism. Words are not physical traces but patterned symbols.
For example, the character “あ” is recognized as the same information whether written on paper, carved in stone, or displayed on a smartphone screen. In other words, information can exist independently from its medium.
Even more surprising is the difference in copying cost. To accurately reproduce footprints, you need to return billions of sand grains to their original positions. This requires enormous energy.
On the other hand, to copy words, you just transcribe them. In the digital age, you only need to copy electrical signals. Energy consumption is nearly zero.
The phenomenon where one book is printed in a million copies and then copied infinitely online is proof that information escapes the constraints of physical laws.
This proverb shows how special the power of “symbolization” is. This is the technology humanity invented while the universe moves toward disorder.
The reason only information can resist time is because it exists as a pattern, not as matter.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches modern people is the importance of “taking a breath” before speaking. This is especially true before leaving something on record.
In today’s social media age, we write, post, and send words every day. Because it’s so easy, we sometimes write words following our emotions.
But before pressing the send button, remember this proverb. Those words will remain longer than you imagine. They may come back to you in unexpected ways.
However, this doesn’t mean you should fear words and write nothing. Rather, it teaches the importance of understanding the weight of writing.
It teaches us to write what we truly want to convey, sincerely and carefully. Choose words you won’t be ashamed of when you read them later.
Not emotional criticism or temporary anger, but words you can be proud of. That is the wisdom this proverb shows.
Take a deep breath before writing and ask yourself this question. “Will tomorrow’s me, and next year’s me, be proud of these words?”
That question will give your words weight and sincerity.
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