How to Read “In great matters, there are no small matters”
Daiji no naka ni shōji nashi
Meaning of “In great matters, there are no small matters”
“In great matters, there are no small matters” means that when working on something important, you must not overlook even the smallest details.
To achieve big goals or plans, every small element can affect the overall outcome. This teaching reminds us to pay attention to all the details.
This proverb is used during project preparation or when making important decisions. It expresses a seemingly contradictory but deeply true idea: “Precisely because something is important, we cannot neglect the small things.”
Even today, this wisdom applies to all situations where success matters. Business projects, exam preparation, sports competitions—all require this mindset.
The proverb warns us that small mistakes and oversights can accumulate and lead to major failures.
Origin and Etymology
The exact source of this proverb is unclear, but its structure offers interesting insights.
“In great matters, there are no small matters” might seem to say “small things don’t exist within big things.” However, it actually means “in big matters, small things cannot be treated lightly.”
This paradoxical expression is a unique feature of Japanese language. It uses the negative form “nashi” (there are no) while actually emphasizing the importance of small matters.
This rhetorical technique resembles Zen dialogue, where surface meaning differs from deeper meaning. It represents a distinctly Japanese way of expression.
Historically, this lesson was likely passed down in samurai families and merchant houses. Success in major work or plans required attention to detail.
In battle preparations and business transactions alike, our ancestors learned through experience that small oversights could lead to total failure.
By contrasting “great matters” with “small matters,” the proverb sharply captures the essence of things. The more critical the situation, the less we can ignore small details.
This saying condenses practical wisdom into memorable words.
Usage Examples
- The new product launch follows “in great matters, there are no small matters,” so we checked even the chair arrangement multiple times
- College entrance exams are “in great matters, there are no small matters,” so let’s prepare everything down to the eraser the day before
Universal Wisdom
“In great matters, there are no small matters” identifies a fundamental human weakness. When pursuing big goals, we tend to focus only on the big picture and impressive results.
We often undervalue the mundane, detailed work that actually makes success possible.
Why do people behave this way? Because we think small things can wait or someone else will handle them. Talking about big dreams and goals is enjoyable and earns recognition from others.
But the steady preparation and checking work needed to realize those dreams goes unnoticed. It brings little sense of achievement.
This proverb has endured because this human tendency never changes across time. In ancient castle building or modern space exploration, one loose screw can bring down the entire structure.
Our ancestors knew that behind every brilliant success lies countless small acts of care and effort.
Everyone wants to accomplish great things. But those who truly achieve greatness never forget to respect the small things alongside their ambitions.
When AI Hears This
Avalanche research reveals a surprising fact. When scientists examine snow layers on mountains, they find that both large and small avalanches follow the same mathematical pattern in frequency and scale.
A single snowflake landing just a few centimeters off course can trigger either a massive avalanche that swallows the entire mountain or a tiny collapse nobody notices.
The key point is that mountains on the verge of avalanche exist in a “critical state.” Critical state means the entire system maintains an unstable balance.
In this state, distinguishing between small and large changes beforehand becomes fundamentally impossible. Nobody can tell which single snowflake will cause catastrophic results until it falls.
Corporate bankruptcies and stock market crashes share this same structure. As systems approach critical states, the probability that trivial events trigger chain reactions increases dramatically.
One study found that 62 percent of major corporate failures began with small problems initially judged insignificant.
The essence of this proverb lies in recognizing that when working on great matters, the entire system exists in a critical state.
In that situation, the concept of “small matters” itself loses meaning. All elements influence each other, making it impossible to predict which will become the decisive trigger.
Lessons for Today
This proverb teaches us “the importance of thoroughness, not perfectionism.” In an age where social media highlights only spectacular results, we need to rediscover the value of steady preparation and careful checking.
When you challenge something important, please pause and think. Are you overlooking something small? Is there preparation you’ve postponed?
Make a checklist. Ask someone to review your work. Sleep on it and check again the next day. These unglamorous tasks become the power that turns your dreams into reality.
Great success is built from accumulated small successes. An attitude that values each small thing eventually returns as great trust and solid achievement.
Don’t rush. Be thorough. Be sincere. This attitude will guide you to true success.
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