How to Read “兵は神速を尊ぶ”
Hei wa shinsoku wo tōtobu
Meaning of “兵は神速を尊ぶ”
“Soldiers honor divine speed” expresses that swiftness is the most important element in military action.
In battle, it means that by acting faster than the enemy, one can gain an overwhelming advantage. It is used in situations such as launching an attack before the opponent can prepare, executing operations at a speed that exceeds the enemy’s expectations, and making immediate decisions without missing opportunities. The reason for using this expression is that on the battlefield, a moment’s delay can mean the difference between life and death. If the enemy takes the initiative, no matter how excellent the soldiers or weapons one possesses, it becomes disadvantageous. In modern times, it is understood not only in military contexts but also in business and highly competitive fields in the context of “speed determines victory or defeat.” What’s important is not just rushing, but acting swiftly at the appropriate timing.
Origin and Etymology
“Soldiers honor divine speed” originates from the phrase “兵貴神速” (soldiers value divine speed) in the ancient Chinese classic “The Art of War.” “The Art of War” is a military treatise written around the 5th century BCE, and its author Sun Wu taught that “the most important thing in warfare is to be as swift as the gods.”
The term “divine speed” is quite interesting. Rather than simply saying “fast,” expressing it as “swift as the gods” reveals the values of ancient Chinese people. Gods are beings that transcend humans, and their speed is meant to be beyond human comprehension.
Chinese classics were introduced to Japan along with Buddhism from the Nara to Heian periods, and during the warrior era, “The Art of War” was treasured as a textbook of military strategy. Warring period military commanders practiced Sun Tzu’s teachings, and particularly Oda Nobunaga and Takeda Shingen are said to have made their names with lightning-fast tactics.
The word “honor” is also important. This doesn’t simply mean “consider important,” but has the deeper meaning of “revering as the highest value.” In other words, it expresses the importance of treating speed as something sacred. This proverb has been passed down to modern times as a precious teaching that captures the essence of warfare in a single phrase.
Usage Examples
- In a new product planning meeting, as “Soldiers honor divine speed” suggests, getting to market before competitors is the key to success
- In job hunting, “Soldiers honor divine speed” applies – when you find a good job opening, you must apply immediately or someone else will take it
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, “Soldiers honor divine speed” can be said to represent the very principle of competition in the digital age. In the IT industry, there is a concept called “first-mover advantage,” where companies that first enter a new market can gain overwhelming superiority. Giant tech companies like Google, Amazon, and Facebook have also grown rapidly following this principle.
In the startup world, the concept of “MVP (Minimum Viable Product)” is mainstream. Rather than spending time creating a perfect product, the approach is to quickly launch a product with minimum functionality to market and improve it while observing user reactions. This can truly be called the modern version of “divine speed.”
On the other hand, with the spread of social media, the speed of information dissemination has dramatically increased in modern times, causing incorrect information and inappropriate statements to spread instantly. In corporate crisis response and crisis management, the speed of initial response has come to determine the extent of damage.
However, in modern times, not only “speed” but also “accuracy” and “sustainability” have come to be valued. In an era where management that considers environmental issues and social responsibility is demanded, there are increasing situations where long-term perspective in decision-making is valued over short-term speed. Perhaps we need a new interpretation that combines the classical concept of “divine speed” with modern values.
When AI Hears This
The concept of “divine speed” in Sun Tzu’s Art of War and modern business “acceleration” may appear to prioritize speed on the surface, but their essence is fundamentally opposite.
In today’s business world, there’s a strong emphasis on “fast at all costs” and “speed first.” However, studies show that projects rushed without adequate preparation have a failure rate of approximately 70%. This demonstrates the limitations of the “start moving, then think” approach.
In contrast, Sun Tzu’s “divine speed” embodies the philosophy of “spend time preparing before you move, then execute in an instant.” This means gathering intelligence on the enemy, understanding the terrain, training soldiers—preparing everything to perfection before striking like lightning. It’s essentially a “80% preparation, 20% execution” mindset.
What’s fascinating is that successful modern companies actually practice this classical “divine speed.” Apple develops new products in secrecy for years, then dominates the market the moment they’re announced. Amazon spent years building its logistics system and now achieves delivery within hours of ordering.
True “speed” isn’t about how fast things appear to move, but rather the exquisite balance between quality of preparation and timing of execution. Perhaps what modern business professionals should learn is not “haste makes waste,” but rather “if you must hurry, prepare first”—this ancient wisdom still holds true.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches us modern people is that opportunities won’t wait. If we wait until perfect preparation is complete, the opportunity will be taken by someone else. What’s important is having the courage to act when 80% of the preparation is done.
In modern society, information overflows and there are countless choices. That’s precisely why we tend to postpone decisions, but the spirit of “Soldiers honor divine speed” teaches us that the time spent hesitating is our greatest enemy. In important life situations like career changes, starting a business, romance, and new challenges, there is no such thing as perfect timing.
However, rather than pursuing only speed, daily preparation and insight are important. Battlefield soldiers can act with “divine speed” when the moment comes precisely because they usually accumulate training and cultivate the ability to accurately judge situations.
In your life too, there will surely come a moment when you think “Now!” Prepare your heart so you can act without hesitation when that time comes. While it’s important to fear failure, the regret from not taking action will surely be greater.
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