How to Read “敗軍の将は兵を語らず”
Haigun no shō wa hei wo katarazu
Meaning of “敗軍の将は兵を語らず”
The original meaning of “Defeated army’s general does not speak of soldiers” is that a general who has lost in battle must not blame subordinate soldiers or make excuses citing the soldiers’ lack of ability.
This is a saying that teaches the proper mindset for people in positions of responsibility when they fail. It represents the teaching that when leaders or those in charge fail at something, they should take full responsibility themselves rather than blaming others or external factors by saying things like “the subordinates were bad,” “the environment was bad,” or “luck was bad.” It embodies the idea that true leaders should have the grace to attribute success to their subordinates’ achievements while accepting failure as their own responsibility.
Even in modern times, this spirit is required in various situations, such as managers when projects fail, coaches when teams lose games, or executives when business performance deteriorates. This proverb warns against the ugliness of people in responsible positions seeking to excuse themselves by looking elsewhere for the causes of failure, and expresses the Japanese aesthetic that values the dignity and grace of leaders.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of “Defeated army’s general does not speak of soldiers” can be traced to Chinese classics, though there are various theories about its specific source. Generally, it is considered a phrase rooted in Chinese military thought, as similar expressions can be found in ancient Chinese military treatises and historical records.
The background of this phrase lies in the values of ancient China’s strict military society. The underlying idea is that generals who lose battles should bear all responsibility themselves and should not make excuses about their subordinate soldiers. This represents a philosophy that values not just avoiding shirking responsibility, but the dignity and grace of leaders.
It was transmitted to Japan along with Chinese classics and became established through its connection with the spirit of bushido. Particularly among the samurai class during the Edo period, this phrase was valued as an important teaching showing the proper mindset of leaders. The attitude of accepting the reality of defeat and taking responsibility without making excuses was considered the true dignity of a samurai.
This proverb has been passed down to the present day as a universal lesson about leadership and responsibility, transcending mere military teachings.
Usage Examples
- When the project failed, the department head took responsibility without making any excuses, embodying the spirit of “Defeated army’s general does not speak of soldiers”
- In the post-game interview, the coach did not criticize the players and upheld “Defeated army’s general does not speak of soldiers” by acknowledging his own tactical mistakes
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the spirit of “Defeated army’s general does not speak of soldiers” has taken on more complex meanings. In today’s world with developed social media and mass media, situations where people are held accountable for failures have increased dramatically compared to before, and simultaneously, opportunities for excuses and shifting blame have also multiplied.
When corporate scandals or political failures occur, we often see those responsible citing subordinates or external factors as reasons in press conferences. Leaders who maintain the spirit of this proverb in such situations often gain people’s trust and respect instead. The attitude of gracefully acknowledging responsibility still has the power to move people’s hearts today.
On the other hand, there are also modern challenges. In today’s world where organizational transparency and accountability are emphasized, it’s not enough to simply “take responsibility” – there’s also a demand to analyze the causes of failure and present measures to prevent recurrence. Additionally, when harassment or organizational problems are the underlying issues, having leaders shoulder all responsibility alone may hinder fundamental solutions.
Nevertheless, the core value of this proverb – that “people in responsible positions should be graceful” – remains an important guideline in modern society. When considering what true leadership means, this ancient teaching still offers fresh insights today.
When AI Hears This
Modern failure studies operate on the iron rule: “Don’t hide failures, discuss them, share them.” Yet “A defeated general does not speak of war” seems to say the complete opposite. However, the common thread hidden within this contradiction is what makes it truly fascinating.
According to research by Yotaro Hatamura, the founder of failure studies, organizations that truly learn from failure share one key condition: “an environment where those responsible don’t make excuses.” In other words, the moment a defeated general starts explaining “the weather was bad” or “my subordinates were incompetent,” that failure loses its value as learning material. The “does not speak” in this proverb actually means “don’t make excuses.”
We see the same phenomenon in NASA’s accident investigations. During the Challenger disaster, technical factors dominated the initial discussions, but the true cause lay in the organization’s decision-making process. When those in charge rush to justify themselves, the essential problems become invisible.
Modern excellence in failure studies emphasizes the importance of a “period of silence for those involved.” First, the responsible party quietly reflects inward, eliminating emotion and self-defense, then conducts objective analysis. The defeated general’s silence was actually the first step toward the highest quality failure learning. Ancient wisdom and modern science illuminate the same truth from different angles.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches us today is what true strength really means. Failure and setbacks happen to everyone. When they do, it’s easy to blame others or line up excuses. But doing so teaches us nothing and also loses the trust of those around us.
In modern society, not only individual responsibility but also teamwork and collaboration are valued. That’s precisely why the attitude of people in responsible positions gracefully accepting responsibility has even greater value. When you serve as a leader of something, can you become someone that subordinates and colleagues can follow with confidence? This is revealed in how you respond when you fail.
This proverb doesn’t demand perfection. Rather, it teaches that a person’s true worth is tested precisely when they fail. People who have the courage to accept responsibility will surely grow and become respected by those around them. Why don’t you also try to become someone with such grace and strength?
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