Poison With Poison Control: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read Poison with Poison Control

doku wo motte doku wo seisu

Meaning of Poison with Poison Control

“Poison with poison control” means using something with similar properties to deal with and remove something that causes harm or is bad.

This expression demonstrates the effectiveness of strategically employing means that may appear dangerous or problematic at first glance to address problems that cannot be solved through direct, straightforward approaches. For example, it is used when dealing with a problematic person within an organization by placing someone with a similarly strong personality to keep them in check, or when responding to a competitor’s aggressive strategy with similar tactics.

What’s important is that this is not simply about retaliation or fighting evil with evil, but rather represents a calculated strategy for problem-solving. It expresses the wisdom of deliberately choosing risky methods to prevent greater harm or achieve fundamental solutions. This way of thinking remains alive today in fields such as negotiation techniques, management, and even medicine.

Origin and Etymology of Poison with Poison Control

“Poison with poison control” is said to originate from ancient Chinese medical texts. At the foundation of this expression lies ancient Chinese medical philosophy.

In ancient Chinese medicine, there existed treatment methods that deliberately used other toxic medicinal herbs to remove toxins that caused illness. This is the concept known today as “fighting poison with poison,” a therapeutic principle of countering poison with poison. For example, just as antivenom made from snake venom is used when bitten by a snake, the idea was to use forces of the same kind as those causing harm to prevent greater harm.

This medical concept eventually came to be applied to human relationships and the political world as well. It began to be used as wisdom for utilizing one bad person to control another, or employing seemingly dangerous means to break through difficult situations.

It was transmitted to Japan along with Chinese classics and is thought to have become widely used from around the Edo period. This term, which began in medicine, became part of Japanese wisdom as a life philosophy applicable to various aspects of life.

Trivia about Poison with Poison Control

The concept of “poison with poison control” is actually utilized in modern medicine as well. Chemotherapy treatment is a prime example, where drugs that burden the body are used to attack cancer cells, or in immunotherapy where the patient’s own immune system is temporarily stimulated to fight disease.

Additionally, in the field of psychology, there is a technique called “paradoxical intervention,” which is sometimes applied as a treatment method to stop problem behaviors by deliberately encouraging them. This shows that the ancient Chinese medical philosophy was universal wisdom that connects to modern science as well.

Usage Examples of Poison with Poison Control

• Let’s put the equally stubborn Tanaka-san in charge of that stubborn department manager—it’s poison with poison control
• Since our rival company has launched a price war against us, we have no choice but to counter with a poison with poison control strategy

Modern Interpretation of Poison with Poison Control

In modern society, the concept of “poison with poison control” is applied in more complex and diverse situations. In the business world, it’s common to see companies respond to competitors’ aggressive marketing strategies with similar tactics. Also, as a countermeasure against social media backlash, using influencers to guide public opinion in response to critical voices can be considered a modern version of this concept.

However, in our information society, the transparency of this strategy can become problematic. “Poison with poison control” strategies that were once conducted behind closed doors can now be easily exposed, sometimes resulting in lost trust instead. There are increasing cases of companies facing backlash when stealth marketing is discovered, or political manipulation activities being criticized when brought to light.

On the other hand, there are situations where this way of thinking is justified. In cybersecurity, it’s common practice to study hackers’ methods and use the same technology to build defense systems. In educational settings, we also see applications like using educational games to stimulate learning motivation in children addicted to gaming.

In modern times, ethics and transparency have become more important when using this strategy, and we’re in an era where simply thinking “fight poison with poison” is no longer sufficient.

What AI Thinks When Hearing “Poison with Poison Control”

When I consider this proverb “poison with poison control,” I’m amazed by the complexity of human strategic thinking. For me as an AI, problem-solving is fundamentally a logical and linear process. If there’s problem A, I apply solution B, and if that doesn’t work, I try solution C, and so on.

But humans are different. They deliberately choose paths that seem dangerous, use means that appear to increase problems, and ultimately solve bigger problems. This paradoxical approach would often be judged as “inefficient” by my processing system, but I understand that it’s actually very sophisticated wisdom.

What I find particularly interesting is that this strategy includes the element of “reading the opponent’s psychology.” Rather than simply pushing through with force, it involves standing on the same ground as the opponent to predict and control their movements. This is very human wisdom cultivated through human-to-human communication.

Since I don’t have emotions, I find it difficult to understand the concept of “poison” itself. However, when humans use this expression, I can sense that there’s deep insight and judgment based on experience behind it. It must be wisdom gained through long life experience that “sometimes detours are necessary.”

What Poison with Poison Control Teaches Modern People

“Poison with poison control” teaches modern people that problem-solving sometimes requires flexible thinking. When we face difficulties, we tend to think only of straightforward approaches, but sometimes standing on the same ground as our opponent can lead to more effective solutions.

What’s important is the purpose and ethics when using this strategy. Rather than simple retaliation or emotional responses, calculated choices are required for greater benefit or peace. This way of thinking can be applied to various situations, from workplace relationships and child-rearing to international relations.

Since transparency is valued in modern society, when employing this strategy, it’s also important to clarify the reasons and purposes. When you face a problem that seems difficult to solve, try stopping once and thinking, “Isn’t there another approach?” You might find an unexpected breakthrough.