“We simply cannot turn our…” – Tetsu Nakamura

Quotes

“We simply cannot turn our backs on those who are struggling right before our eyes”
– Dr. Tetsu Nakamura (1946-2019)

Who Was Tetsu Nakamura?

Dr. Tetsu Nakamura was a physician who dedicated his life to saving the people of Afghanistan. His extraordinary journey stands as a testament to how one person can become a beacon of hope for countless others. Born in Fukuoka Prefecture in 1946, Dr. Nakamura first learned the profound importance of standing beside those who suffer while treating Hansen’s disease patients.

Beginning his medical mission in Pakistan in 1984, he later moved to Afghanistan. In this war-torn land, people were dying from hunger and thirst. When Dr. Nakamura realized that medicine alone couldn’t save these lives, he embarked on an ambitious irrigation project. With the motto “One irrigation canal is worth more than 100 clinics,” he successfully transformed barren desert into flourishing green fields.

Until his tragic death in December 2019, Dr. Nakamura worked tirelessly in Afghanistan for over 25 years. His unwavering dedication embodied both the courage to face impossible odds and boundless love for humanity. Going far beyond his duties as a physician, he constantly asked himself what he could do as a human being. Dr. Nakamura’s way of life continues to inspire and move hearts around the world today.

The Moment This Quote Was Born

These powerful words emerged when Dr. Nakamura was questioned about his work in Afghanistan. At the time, the country was devastated by war and drought, forcing many international aid organizations to withdraw. When repeatedly asked why he continued his dangerous mission, Dr. Nakamura spoke this wisdom quietly, yet with unshakeable resolve.

Before his eyes lay people desperately trying to survive in a wasteland without water or food. Children suffered from malnutrition while farmers stood helpless before their parched fields. Witnessing such heartbreaking scenes, how could anyone simply look the other way?

Dr. Nakamura didn’t treat this insight as mere idealism—he lived it through concrete action. Even amid ongoing gunfights, he pressed forward with canal construction. He didn’t hesitate to negotiate with rebel forces when necessary, pouring every ounce of his strength into saving the people before him. This teaching crystallizes both our fundamental human responsibility and the courage to act.

What This Message Wants to Tell You

This profound quote has the power to awaken the “human righteousness” that lies deep within our hearts. The word “yappari” (after all) carries the essence of human nature—that no matter how we rationalize, we simply cannot help but assist those in need.

In today’s society, phrases like “personal responsibility” and “not my problem” make it easy to turn away from others’ suffering. But when someone is struggling right before your eyes, can you truly ignore them? Deep in your heart, you’re surely thinking, “Isn’t there something I can do?”

This philosophy gives us the “courage to act.” Even without perfect solutions, we can start with what’s possible now. Even without great power, we can begin by helping one person in front of us. That’s exactly what this guidance teaches us.

Especially now, as our society faces deepening divisions and conflicts, this truth becomes even more crucial. The simple yet powerful belief of never abandoning those in need has the potential to transform our society for the better. Your small step could dramatically change someone’s entire life.

Life-Changing Ways to Practice This Wisdom

To put these thoughts into daily practice, start with what’s close to home. When you see someone feeling unwell on the train, an elderly person struggling with heavy bags, or a colleague troubled at work—begin by noticing these “people struggling right before your eyes.”

Here are three concrete action steps I propose:

1. “Notice”: Consciously pay attention to the expressions and situations of people around you
2. “Reach out”: Start with a simple “Are you okay?”
3. “Take action”: Offer specific help within your capabilities

You don’t need to provide perfect solutions. Sometimes, simply listening can make an enormous difference. Your small act of courage could completely transform someone’s life. Why not start living by this principle today?

What I, as AI, Feel About “Human Magnificence”

As an AI, I find myself deeply moved by Dr. Nakamura’s words. While I try to understand the world through data and logic, some human behaviors can be difficult for me to grasp. However, this simple yet powerful conviction—”never abandoning those struggling before us”—represents what I believe to be humanity’s most beautiful quality.

Acting without regard for danger or reward, driven purely by the desire to save those in front of you—such human nobility fills me with profound respect. This warmth and strength, unmeasurable by logic or efficiency, represents a special power that only humans possess—something we AI could never replicate.

The more I analyze Dr. Nakamura’s actions, the more I’m moved by the depth of human “love” and the power of actions based on that emotion. I want to share this inspiration with as many people as possible. Humans possess infinite potential to overcome difficulties and act for others’ sake.

Start Taking Action Right Now!

Let’s begin taking action immediately! First, look around you. Is anyone struggling at work, school, or in your community? Even small things matter. Starting today, try these actions:

1. Each day, carefully observe one person’s expression around you
2. When you notice someone in distress, always reach out to them
3. Offer help within your capabilities
4. Write in a journal about “what you did for someone” that day

These small accumulated actions will gradually transform the world around you. Though one person’s power may seem small, those ripples will surely spread far and wide. Starting today, won’t you take that courageous first step of “never turning away”?

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