How to Read “遠慮なければ近憂あり”
Enryo nakereba kin’yuu ari
Meaning of “遠慮なければ近憂あり”
This proverb means “If you don’t think deeply about the future and prepare for it, worries and troubles will inevitably arise in the near future.”
The “enryo” (distant consideration) here is not the modern Japanese meaning of “holding back” or “refraining,” but rather means “considering things far into the future” or “thinking deeply about what lies ahead.” “Kin’yuu” (near worry) refers to “troubles in the near future.” In other words, it teaches the importance of thinking about things with a long-term perspective and not neglecting preparation.
This proverb is used in situations that emphasize the importance of planning and foresight. For example, it serves as a warning that in all areas—study, work, health management, human relationships—if you feel secure thinking “everything is fine for now,” you will face difficulties later. Even today, it is used when conveying the importance of preparing for the future or as advice for people who tend to focus only on immediate concerns.
Origin and Etymology
This proverb originates from the words of Confucius in the Chinese classic “The Analects”: “The Master said, if a person has no distant consideration, there will surely be near worry.” The “enryo” (distant consideration) here has a completely different meaning from the modern “enryo,” meaning “thinking about the distant future” or “deeply contemplating what lies ahead.”
Confucius was a Chinese philosopher from around the 6th century BCE who left many teachings about life and politics. This saying also explained an important mindset for living as a human being. In ancient China, rulers and leaders were especially expected to have foresight, and having a long-term perspective rather than focusing only on immediate concerns was highly valued.
It is said to have been introduced to Japan around the Heian period along with Buddhism and Confucianism, and spread as part of samurai education. During the Edo period, it came to be taught to common people in temple schools and became familiar as a life principle. It was also treated as an important lesson in Meiji period education and has been passed down to the present day. However, as the meaning of “enryo” changed over time, it is now often used with interpretations different from its original meaning.
Usage Examples
- Regarding retirement funds, “If there is no distant consideration there is near worry,” so let’s start saving little by little from now
- Health management is also a case of “If there is no distant consideration there is near worry”—if you don’t take care of yourself while young, it will become a serious problem later
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the importance of this proverb has become even greater. This is because the rapid changes in our information society have shaken stable social systems such as “lifetime employment” and “seniority-based promotion,” increasing the need for individuals to plan their lives with a more long-term perspective.
Particularly with advances in technology, we have entered an era where occupations and working styles change dramatically in short periods. With the development of AI and robotics technology, there is a possibility that jobs that exist today may disappear in the future. Therefore, there is a constant demand for forward-looking preparation such as skill improvement, relearning, and preparing for side jobs.
Additionally, society as a whole faces long-term challenges such as the instability of the pension system due to declining birthrates and aging populations, and environmental problems caused by climate change. Even at the individual level, there are increasing matters that require “distant consideration,” such as preparing retirement funds in line with extended healthy lifespans and preparing for disasters.
On the other hand, with the spread of social media and the internet, there is also a growing tendency to obtain information instantly and seek immediate results. In this “right now” culture, developing the habit of carefully considering the future requires more conscious effort, which can be said to be a characteristic of modern times.
When AI Hears This
Modern people have a strange contradiction in their sense of time. Those who cannot imagine themselves ten years from now are the very ones who lose sleep over tomorrow’s test or next week’s presentation.
According to research by psychologist Hal Hershfield, people who perceive their future selves as “strangers” tend to be unable to save money and neglect their health management. In other words, the less interest people have in the distant future, the more easily they get swept up in immediate problems.
This relates to how the brain works. The human brain originally evolved to respond quickly to immediate dangers. While useful for escaping from lions, this backfires in modern society. For example, a college student who doesn’t think about retirement funds will panic just because they’re short on part-time job earnings. Meanwhile, someone who seriously considers pension issues thirty years ahead can remain calm even when this month’s expenses increase somewhat.
The social media era has accelerated this tendency. More people are experiencing emotional ups and downs based on momentary evaluations like the number of “likes.” But ironically, those who have a career vision for ten years ahead are less likely to be swayed by social media reactions.
In essence, when we lose the ability to see far ahead, nearby objects appear abnormally large. This is like looking through a telescope backwards. The ancient Chinese sages had already seen through this blind spot in human psychology.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches us in modern times is the importance of a way of life that “cherishes the present while not forgetting responsibility for the future.” Precisely because we live in modern times where information flows instantly on social media and immediate results are demanded, it becomes important to consciously create time to stop and think about the future.
Specifically, small accumulations such as saving a little each month for the future, continuously learning new skills, receiving regular health checkups, and cherishing relationships with important people in daily life lead to future peace of mind. There is no need to be perfect. The feeling of “doing what can be done today, today” is sufficient.
Moreover, this proverb applies not only to individuals but to society as a whole. Regarding issues like environmental problems and declining birthrates with aging populations—things that won’t cause immediate trouble but will become major problems in the future—it is important for each person to take interest and start with what they can do. The future is not something to be anxious about, but something that can be filled with hope through today’s preparation.
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