How to Read “治に居て乱を忘れず”
Chi ni ite ran wo wasurezu
Meaning of “治に居て乱を忘れず”
“In order dwelling not forget disorder” means that precisely during peaceful and stable times, one must not neglect preparations for potential future confusion or crises.
This phrase teaches the importance of not becoming complacent with current favorable conditions, but always maintaining a mindset that looks ahead. During peaceful times, people tend to become careless and their awareness of crisis management weakens. However, looking back at history, no matter how stable an era may be, waves of change inevitably arrive.
This proverb is used in situations where, in organizational management or personal life planning, one encourages preparation that considers future risks precisely during smooth periods. It is also used when expressing the importance of successful companies or individuals not becoming overconfident, but continuously maintaining ambition and crisis awareness. In modern times, this “preparation” is understood in a broader sense, encompassing not only physical preparations but also the acquisition of knowledge and skills, building human relationships, and mental preparation.
Origin and Etymology
“In order dwelling not forget disorder” is a phrase that originates from the ancient Chinese classic “I Ching” (Book of Changes). The I Ching began as a divination text in ancient China but later developed into a philosophical work that influenced many thinkers, including Confucius.
The background to the birth of this phrase lies in the turbulent history of ancient China. Amid the repeated rise and fall of dynasties, there was the harsh reality that peaceful times would not necessarily last forever. Particularly during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods (8th century BCE to 3rd century BCE), it was an era of continuous conflict between various states, where today’s peace was not guaranteed for tomorrow.
The I Ching teaches the philosophy of “change” (heneki), which states that all things are constantly changing. From this way of thinking arose the teaching that one should maintain vigilance, understanding that no matter how favorable the current situation may be, it is not permanent. This was transmitted to Japan during the Nara to Heian periods along with Buddhism and Confucianism, and was particularly valued in warrior society. For military commanders surviving in times of war, this phrase, which preached the importance of preparation during peacetime, became truly a personal motto.
Usage Examples
- Precisely because our company’s performance is favorable now, we are advancing preparations for new business ventures with the spirit of “In order dwelling not forget disorder”
- Reviewing our lifestyle habits while we’re healthy now is also what “In order dwelling not forget disorder” means
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the teaching of “In order dwelling not forget disorder” holds even more important meaning than before. This is because, amid advancing globalization and digitalization, the speed of change in our surrounding environment has dramatically accelerated, increasing the possibility of unexpected crises suddenly arriving.
The global spread of the novel coronavirus became a modern example of precisely this teaching. Many companies and individuals faced the unexpected situation of a pandemic, making remote work and digital adaptation urgent priorities. Many people likely felt keenly the importance of preparation during peacetime from this experience.
In the IT industry, this concept has been materialized as “resilience” and “business continuity planning (BCP).” Technical preparations such as system redundancy, data backup, and cybersecurity measures are routinely implemented. At the individual level, skill diversification and career multi-tracking have also come to be emphasized.
On the other hand, in modern times, the definition of “disorder” has also diversified. Not only natural disasters and economic crises, but also changes in industrial structure due to technological innovation and social division due to diversification of values are also perceived as “disorder.” With the spread of social media increasing the speed of information dissemination, there is also an increased possibility that small problems can instantly develop into major confusion.
Precisely because we live in such times, it is required that we reinterpret and practice the spirit of the ancient wisdom “In order dwelling not forget disorder” in a modern context.
When AI Hears This
The human brain has a peculiar habit of assuming that peaceful situations will continue indefinitely. Psychology calls this “normalcy bias,” which is also known as a cause of delayed evacuation during disasters. Additionally, due to “optimism bias,” we tend to think that bad things happen to other people and don’t concern us.
What’s fascinating is that Chinese thinkers identified this cognitive trap 2,500 years ago. This teaching about the importance of preparing for emergencies during peacetime is essentially a countermeasure to what modern behavioral economist Daniel Kahneman calls “availability heuristic.” People tend to overvalue events that are familiar and memorable while underestimating unlikely disasters and crises.
We see the same phenomenon in modern society through corporate risk management, personal emergency preparedness, and investment decisions. When economic booms continue, we fall into the illusion that “stock prices will keep rising,” only to get burned when bubbles burst. Even during the COVID pandemic, many countries were overly optimistic, thinking “surely not in our country.”
The fact that ancient wisdom is being validated by modern science proves that human cognitive structures haven’t fundamentally changed. The habit of consciously considering pessimistic scenarios is the only way to overcome these innate biases.
Lessons for Today
What “In order dwelling not forget disorder” teaches us today is the importance of honestly rejoicing in success and stability while not forgetting to prepare for the next step. This is by no means about becoming pessimistic. Rather, it’s a positive attitude of holding hope for the future and accumulating what can be done today.
In modern society, there are many ways to apply this teaching to daily life. Precisely when work is going smoothly, acquire new skills; precisely when healthy, regulate lifestyle habits; precisely when human relationships are good, express gratitude. Such small accumulations become great support in times of need.
Moreover, this phrase applies not only to individuals but also to families and local communities. Disaster preparedness and building relationships where people can support each other are also things that can be done precisely during peacetime.
What’s important is not being driven by anxiety to worry excessively, but enjoying today’s happiness while enjoying sowing seeds for the future. Your small preparations today become the power to protect tomorrow’s yourself and your precious people. When you think of it that way, preparing also transforms into an act filled with hope.
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