How to Read “五十歩百歩”
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Meaning of “五十歩百歩”
“Fifty steps hundred steps” means that even though there may be differences in degree, things are essentially the same, and neither is significantly different from the other.
It is used to express situations where, although there may appear to be differences on the surface, there is no difference in fundamental nature or value. It is particularly often used when comparing situations that are both unfavorable or inadequate. The reason for using this proverb is to convey the importance of seeing through to the essence of things. It has the effect of making people think about what is truly important, without being misled by differences in numbers or appearances. Even today, it is often used in the form “both are fifty steps hundred steps” when comparing grades, performance, quality, etc., functioning as an expression that points out the meaninglessness of being caught up in superficial superiority or inferiority.
Origin and Etymology
“Fifty steps hundred steps” is a proverb that originates from the words of Mencius, a philosopher from China’s Warring States period. It comes from a famous anecdote recorded in “King Hui of Liang” in “Mencius.”
When Mencius was discussing politics with King Hui of Liang, the king boasted, “I love my people more than the rulers of other countries.” However, Mencius responded with an analogy about the battlefield. He asked, “Suppose there were soldiers retreating in defeat in battle. One ran fifty steps and stopped, while another ran one hundred steps and stopped. What if the one who ran only fifty steps laughed at the one who ran one hundred steps, calling him a coward?”
What Mencius wanted to convey through this story was that both fifty steps and one hundred steps share the same essence of “running away.” In other words, he pointed out that King Hui of Liang and the rulers of other countries were not much different in that they did not truly love their people.
This teaching was transmitted to Japan and became established as the proverb “Fifty steps hundred steps.” It has been used for a long time as a phrase expressing that although there may be numerical differences, things are essentially the same.
Usage Examples
- Team A and Team B are fifty steps hundred steps in terms of ability, so the outcome of the match is uncertain
- The policies of the candidates in the upcoming election are fifty steps hundred steps, so I feel like it won’t matter which one we choose
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the concept of “Fifty steps hundred steps” has come to have more complex meanings. In our information society, we are constantly exposed to comparisons and rankings, and there is a tendency for minor differences to be greatly emphasized.
For example, in smartphone performance comparisons, a few percent difference in processing speed becomes a big topic, but in actual user experience, it is often “fifty steps hundred steps.” Similarly, we see situations where minute differences in university deviation scores or corporate sales figures are given excessive importance.
On the other hand, as globalization progresses, the ability to distinguish between truly important differences and superficial differences has become more necessary. In situations where we evaluate essential values that are difficult to measure numerically, such as corporate social responsibility and environmental initiatives, the teachings of this proverb are being applied.
With the spread of social media, comparisons with others have become routine in modern times, and the perspective of “fifty steps hundred steps” also functions as wisdom that brings peace of mind. For modern people who tend to seek perfection, the accepting attitude of “neither is much different” has become an important way of thinking that also leads to stress reduction.
When AI Hears This
Modern society is dominated by “relative superiority.” In other words, we live in a world where “how you compare to others” matters more than absolute ability. A person with a deviation score of 60 feels inferior to someone with 65, and someone earning 4.5 million yen envies someone making 5 million. Even in economics, the “theory of comparative advantage” teaches that relative differences are what create value.
However, “fifty steps, one hundred steps” directly challenges this modern value system. Mencius’s observation that it’s ridiculous for a soldier who fled 50 steps in battle to laugh at one who fled 100 steps was revolutionary. This is because he declared that “even with a twofold difference, if the essence is the same, it’s meaningless.”
When applied to modern times, this becomes shocking. The difference between deviation scores of 60 and 65 is statistically clear, but the essence remains the same: “students driven by entrance exams.” Similarly, annual incomes of 4.5 million and 5 million yen are no different in that both represent “salarymen driven by making a living.”
Psychological research has also revealed that even when income doubles, improvements in happiness are limited. In other words, Mencius saw through the emptiness of modern people’s emotional ups and downs over numerical differences 2,300 years ago.
Against modern society’s pursuit of relative superiority, this proverb that demands we “look at the essence” is truly a crystallization of wisdom that transcends time.
Lessons for Today
What “Fifty steps hundred steps” teaches modern people is the importance of being freed from perfectionism. We tend to get caught up in minor differences and evaluate ourselves and others harshly, but often there are no significant differences in the essential parts.
This perspective creates peace of mind in various situations in daily life. When we feel down from comparing ourselves to other families in child-rearing, or when work results don’t improve as expected, the way of thinking of “fifty steps hundred steps” protects us from excessive competitive consciousness.
At the same time, this proverb also teaches the importance of cultivating an eye for seeing through to the essence of things. By developing the habit of thinking about what is truly important without being misled by superficial numbers or apparent differences, we should be able to live richer lives.
The accepting attitude of “there are differences, but the essence is the same” also brings tolerance to human relationships. We want to have the peace of mind to warmly accept both our imperfect selves and imperfect others.
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