How to Read “智に働けば角が立つ”
Chi ni hatarakeba kado ga tatsu
Meaning of “智に働けば角が立つ”
This proverb means that when you speak logically or make judgments based on reason and wisdom, friction and conflict arise with those around you.
In other words, it expresses that when you say or do what is “correct” based on rational thinking, you ignore the emotional aspects, resulting in strained human relationships. It refers to situations where, even though something may be logically correct, pushing it through hurts others or spoils the atmosphere.
This expression is particularly used when feeling the difficulty of balancing logical correctness with emotional consideration in human relationships, such as in the workplace or at home. It’s often used in ways like “That person is smart, but they’re the type where if you work with wisdom, corners will stand, so they’re difficult to get along with.” Even today, as situations that emphasize efficiency and rationality increase, the meaning of these words is deeply understood.
Origin and Etymology
This phrase is a proverb that originated from the opening passage of Natsume Soseki’s masterpiece “Kusamakura” (The Grass Pillow). It’s part of the famous passage: “If you work with wisdom, corners will stand. If you let yourself be carried away by emotion, you’ll be swept along. If you push through with stubbornness, life becomes cramped. In any case, this human world is difficult to live in.”
Soseki published this work in 1906 (Meiji 39). Japan at that time was shaken by waves of modernization, and people were troubled between traditional values and new Western ways of thinking. Against this historical backdrop, Soseki expressed the fundamental difficulties of human existence.
“Wisdom” refers to intelligence and reason, while “corners standing” means friction and conflict with others. Soseki had his protagonist, a painter, speak about the complexity of human relationships where judging things rationally inevitably leads to clashes with someone.
What’s interesting is that although this phrase was Soseki’s creation, it struck so deeply at the essence of human nature that it spread as if it were an ancient proverb. It’s rare for words born from a literary work to become so commonly used in daily life, demonstrating the depth of Soseki’s insight. The life philosophy left by this Meiji-era literary giant continues to resonate in the hearts of many people today.
Interesting Facts
Natsume Soseki’s “Kusamakura” was originally conceived with the title “Nami,” taken from the name of the woman the protagonist encounters. However, it was ultimately changed to the current poetic title.
The opening passage containing this proverb was a section that Soseki himself revised many times, and many correction marks remain on the manuscript. It was precisely because he carefully chose each word that it became such an impressive and universal expression.
Usage Examples
- He only speaks in logical arguments, so it’s a case of “if you work with wisdom, corners will stand,” and the team atmosphere has deteriorated.
- The efficiency proposal is correct, but since “if you work with wisdom, corners will stand,” let’s consider the other person’s feelings a bit more.
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the meaning of this proverb has become more complex. Now that digital communication through SNS and email has become mainstream, emotional consideration is difficult to convey through text-only exchanges, and situations of “if you work with wisdom, corners will stand” occur frequently.
Particularly in business settings, while decisions based on data and logic are valued, teamwork and maintaining human relationships are equally important. With the spread of remote work, there’s an increased risk of making others uncomfortable by stating logical arguments through screen-mediated communication.
Moreover, in our information society, anyone can easily obtain specialized knowledge, and more people engage in debates using “correct information” as a weapon. However, even when facts are correct, getting the method or timing of conveying them wrong can actually worsen human relationships.
On the other hand, modern values that respect diversity and individual rights have also spread, and there are situations where it’s necessary to state logical arguments without fearing that “corners will stand.” This is because it’s important to speak up against harassment and discrimination without fearing friction in human relationships.
Thus, in modern times, balancing “working with wisdom” and “not letting corners stand” has become an even more complex and delicate skill.
When AI Hears This
A cow’s horns are tissues that grow continuously throughout their lifetime. In the wild, they naturally wear down by rubbing against trees and rocks, but without this natural grinding, they grow abnormally long and can eventually pierce through the animal’s own skull—a remarkable physiological characteristic. This “horn management” actually shares the same fundamental structure as how humans should use their intelligence.
Like horns, intelligence left unchecked becomes increasingly “sharp” without limits. The more logically gifted a person is, the better they become at instantly spotting contradictions in others and constructing perfect counterarguments. However, when this “sharpened intelligence” is brought directly into human relationships, it transforms into an aggressive tool used to demolish opponents and establish dominance.
What’s fascinating is that just as cows instinctively engage in horn-grinding behavior, highly social humans unconsciously develop techniques to “dull” their intelligence. Expressions like “That’s an interesting perspective” or prefacing statements with “I might be wrong, but…” are precisely acts of grinding down intelligence’s sharp edges.
This biological parallel reveals the inherent duality of intelligence. Just as horns serve as protective weapons that require control, intelligence only functions as a constructive force that doesn’t harm others when it’s been appropriately “dulled.”
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches us today is that human relationships cannot be built on “correctness” alone. No matter how logical and rational an opinion may be, good results won’t emerge without considering the other person’s feelings and situation.
What’s important is not to suppress logical arguments, but to devise ways of conveying them. Even with the same content, by putting yourself in the other person’s position and considering timing and word choice, you can convey your message “without letting corners stand.”
In modern society, we increasingly find ourselves cooperating with people who hold diverse values. It’s precisely in such times that the wisdom of this proverb comes into play. While cherishing your own thoughts, don’t forget consideration for others. This sense of balance is the key to building rich human relationships.
You too will encounter situations in daily life where you want to convey something correct. In such times, first try to empathize with the other person’s feelings. Surely you’ll find good solutions for both parties without letting corners stand. You can grow while enjoying the depth of human relationships.
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