How to Read “地に倒るる者は地によりて立つ”
Chi ni taoruru mono wa chi ni yorite tatsu
Meaning of “地に倒るる者は地によりて立つ”
This proverb means that the very thing that caused failure or setback becomes the foundation for recovery and success.
Just as a person who falls and hits the ground must use that same ground to push themselves back up, difficulties and failures in life can become the source of strength to overcome them. This contains deeper insight than simply saying “if you try hard, you can recover.”
This proverb is used when someone has experienced a major failure or setback. It’s employed when comforting or encouraging that person, to show the positive perspective that “failure itself becomes material for the next success.” It’s also used as emotional support when facing difficulties oneself.
In modern times, this is well understood through examples like entrepreneurs who learned from business failures to succeed in new ventures, or athletes who became stronger by using defeats as fuel. What’s important is not avoiding failure, but the attitude of what to learn from failure.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of this proverb is thought to trace back to Chinese classics. The prevailing theory is that similar expressions can be found in ancient Chinese philosophical texts such as “Han Feizi” and “Xunzi,” which were transmitted to Japan and became established there.
The expression “Those who fall to ground rise by means of ground” is a classical way of expressing wisdom using physical phenomena as metaphor. It’s a phrase born from the everyday action that everyone experiences – when a person falls down, they use that same ground as support to stand back up.
The influence of Buddhist thought is also pointed out as background for why this expression became established in Japan. Buddhism has the concept of “turning delusion into enlightenment,” teaching that confusion and suffering themselves become the path to enlightenment. This connects with the philosophy of “Those who fall to ground rise by means of ground.”
It was frequently quoted in moral instruction books during the Edo period and was valued as part of the samurai spirit and merchant principles. This easy-to-understand metaphor was often used when explaining the importance of not fearing failure and learning from it. The reason it has been passed down to modern times is precisely because its universal truth continues to resonate in people’s hearts.
Interesting Facts
The character “ground” (地) that appears in this proverb represented not merely land in ancient China, but the fundamental force that supports all things. Therefore, “rise by means of ground” had deep meaning beyond physically standing up from the ground – it meant being supported by fundamental force to be reborn.
Merchants in the Edo period particularly valued this proverb as a principle of business. Business failures were not considered shameful, but rather that experience was considered precious capital for the next success.
Usage Examples
- I failed at starting a business, but since “Those who fall to ground rise by means of ground,” I plan to use that experience and try again
- I said to my son who was depressed about failing his entrance exam, “Those who fall to ground rise by means of ground”
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the meaning of this proverb has come to be understood in more concrete and practical forms. Particularly in the business world where a culture of “learning from failure” has taken root, companies that actively share and analyze failures rather than hide them are increasing.
Silicon Valley’s “fail fast” philosophy can be said to be the modern version of this proverb. Among startup companies, the method of improving products and services while accumulating small failures has become common. The idea that failure itself has value is a perfect example of ancient Japanese wisdom aligning with modern innovation theory.
Changes can also be seen in the field of education. There’s a shift from traditional point-deduction systems to educational methods that view failure as learning opportunities. In programming education, there’s the concept of “debugging,” where finding and fixing errors becomes the core of learning.
On the other hand, in SNS society, there’s also the fear that failures can spread instantly, making the practice of this proverb more difficult in some ways. However, precisely because of this, the value of not fearing failure but challenging oneself and learning from it is being re-recognized. For modern people, this proverb functions not merely as words of comfort, but as an active behavioral guideline.
When AI Hears This
This proverb has a structure that aligns remarkably with Newton’s Third Law – the law of action and reaction. In physics, the force with which an object pushes against the ground and the force with which the ground pushes back are always equal, and this interaction forms the foundation of all movement.
When we walk, we push the ground backward with our feet, which allows us to receive a forward reaction from the ground and move ahead. If the ground were slippery like ice and the reaction force weak, no matter how much effort we put in, we couldn’t move forward. In other words, it’s precisely because there’s “resistance that pushes back” that propulsion is born.
Life’s setbacks can be explained by the same principle. The harder we’re pressed against the “ground” of failure and difficulty, the greater the reaction force that helps us stand back up. Astronauts can’t jump very high on the moon’s surface because the moon’s gravity is weak and the reaction force from the ground is limited. Similarly, while minor setbacks provide only small reactive forces, when we face major difficulties, the “pushing back force” we can gain from them becomes tremendously powerful.
What physics teaches us is that forces always appear in pairs. The greater the downward force of setback, the proportionally greater the upward force that lifts us back up. This law operates without exception, even in the realm of emotions and the human spirit.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches modern people is a fundamental shift in how to face failure. It shows the importance of having a perspective that actively utilizes failure as nourishment for growth, rather than something to be avoided.
In modern society, there are strong tendencies toward perfectionism and being overly concerned about others’ opinions, and many people avoid challenges for fear of failure. However, this proverb teaches us that “failure is the best teacher.” Whether it’s changing jobs, starting a business, acquiring new skills, or building human relationships, it’s rare for things to go well from the start.
What’s important is not to blame yourself when you fail, but to ask “What can I learn from this experience?” By analyzing the causes of failure and finding specific improvements that can be applied next time, the same failure transforms into a stairway to success.
You too might be feeling down about some failure right now. But that failure is precious capital that will make you stronger and guide you to a better future. Precisely because you fell to the ground, you can use that ground to stand up higher than before.
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