How to Read “Tomorrow is still untouched”
Asu wa mada tetsukazu
Meaning of “Tomorrow is still untouched”
“Tomorrow is still untouched” is a proverb that warns against putting things off because “there’s always tomorrow.” It sounds an alarm about human weakness—the tendency to postpone what should be done today by thinking “I still have tomorrow.”
This proverb is used when someone makes excuses like “I’ll do it tomorrow,” or when you yourself are tempted to procrastinate. Tomorrow certainly exists as a future time. But it remains “untouched”—nothing has started yet.
That’s why this saying reminds us how important it is to act in this very moment.
Even today, this lesson applies to everything—work with deadlines, studying, important decisions. The sweet thought of “I’ll do it tomorrow” ends up causing suffering. This proverb conveys that truth in simple words.
Origin and Etymology
No clear written records exist about the origin of this proverb. However, we can make interesting observations from how the words are structured.
The expression “Tomorrow is still untouched” seems to compare the future to a blank sheet of white paper. The word “untouched” originally referred to cooking or work—things no one had started yet.
By applying this word to “tomorrow,” the proverb expresses how the future hasn’t begun yet. It remains full of possibilities.
This phrase likely emerged from the Japanese people’s unique sense of time. In agricultural society, tomorrow’s weather and changing seasons greatly affected daily life.
That’s why “tomorrow” wasn’t just the next day. It was something that required preparation and awareness.
What’s fascinating is how this saying contains the optimistic phrase “there is a tomorrow” while simultaneously warning against it. The words “still untouched” carry an implicit message: “so you should do it now.”
Our ancestors deeply understood the human psychology of procrastination. Perhaps that’s why they created this particular expression.
Usage Examples
- The report is due next week, but if you think “tomorrow is still untouched,” you’ll end up pulling an all-nighter
- I’m thinking of starting my diet tomorrow, but if I keep postponing it saying “tomorrow is still untouched,” I’ll never change
Universal Wisdom
“Tomorrow is still untouched” has been passed down through generations because it perfectly captures a fundamental human weakness.
We humans are strange creatures. We believe we’ll become better versions of ourselves “tomorrow” rather than “today.” We hold the illusion that tomorrow’s self will be more motivated, more focused, and capable of wiser decisions.
This relates to what psychology calls “optimism bias”—a trait deeply rooted in human nature.
But our ancestors knew the truth. When tomorrow comes, that tomorrow becomes “today,” and the same temptations await. The choice of the word “untouched” is brilliant.
Tomorrow certainly exists, but it hasn’t started yet. It’s just another day that will demand the same choices as today.
This proverb teaches us a harsh truth: time flows equally for everyone. Placing hope in tomorrow is a very human thing to do. But when that hope becomes an excuse that prevents action, we’re deceiving ourselves.
Procrastination might actually be shifting responsibility to our future selves.
When AI Hears This
In quantum mechanics, electrons exist in multiple states simultaneously until observed—”here and also there.” This is called “superposition.” The moment you observe, it snaps into one location.
In other words, the act of observation creates reality.
“Tomorrow is still untouched” expresses this quantum property along the time axis. Tomorrow as a future hasn’t been observed by anyone yet.
The possibility of success and failure, the possibility of feeling motivated or not—everything exists in overlapping states. Tomorrow exists in a state of “wave function” with infinite possibilities.
What’s interesting is the psychology of procrastinators. Unconsciously, they try to maintain this superposition state. Why? Because when you observe—when you actually take action—reality collapses into one state at that moment.
The possibility of achieving perfect results might disappear the instant you act. So they keep avoiding observation.
Heisenberg, one of quantum mechanics’ founders, said “a particle before observation is a cloud of possibilities.” Procrastination might be a human quantum defense instinct—trying to remain within this cloud of possibilities.
Lessons for Today
This proverb teaches modern people the value of “now”—this very moment. In today’s society surrounded by smartphones and social media, infinite distractions exist.
The temptation to think “I’ll do it tomorrow” has never been stronger.
But think about it. What you choose in this moment creates tomorrow’s you. Tomorrow isn’t a magical day that will solve your problems.
It’s just another day waiting for your choices, the same as today.
So why not try doing something today—even something small? It doesn’t need to be perfect. Just five minutes, just the first step—that’s enough.
Whenever you remember “Tomorrow is still untouched,” feel the importance of starting something right now, in this moment. That accumulation will change your life.
The future isn’t far away. It begins right here, right now.
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