How to Read “If you don’t speak of what is near, don’t undertake what is far”
Hi kin setsu ba zareba shū en wo tsutomu ru naka re
Meaning of “If you don’t speak of what is near, don’t undertake what is far”
This proverb warns against focusing on distant matters while neglecting the people and things close to you. It teaches the importance of building strong relationships with those around you first.
This saying is used when someone ignores their family or close friends while pursuing distant connections or grand goals. It also serves as advice for people who discuss lofty ideals while leaving local or immediate problems unresolved.
In modern times, this applies to situations where people become absorbed in connecting with distant others on social media while conversations with family members decline.
It also fits those who aspire to global activities while neglecting contributions to their local community. This proverb teaches a fundamental truth: things have a proper order, and only by solidifying your foundation can you develop the strength to reach far.
Origin and Etymology
This proverb is thought to be influenced by classical Chinese thought, particularly Confucian teachings. “Hi kin” refers to things that are near or close. “Setsu” means to cherish or value. “Shū en” means to attend to distant matters.
Confucianism has a saying: “Cultivate yourself, regulate your family, govern your state, bring peace to the world.” This teaches a step-by-step order of first improving yourself, then organizing your household, then governing the nation, and finally bringing peace to the world.
“If you don’t speak of what is near, don’t undertake what is far” deeply connects with this philosophy.
Looking at the language structure, the classical negative form “zareba…nakare” is used. This shows the proverb was formed in quite ancient times in Japan. It likely began among educated people with knowledge of classical Chinese texts, probably before the Edo period.
The background for this expression lies in a warning against the universal human tendency to idealize distant things while undervaluing what is close. It has been passed down through generations as a caution to those who try to accomplish great things without securing their footing.
Usage Examples
- Before considering overseas expansion, as “If you don’t speak of what is near, don’t undertake what is far” suggests, we should first value our local customers
- I keep thinking about making new friends, but following “If you don’t speak of what is near, don’t undertake what is far,” I need to deepen my relationships with the friends I already have
Universal Wisdom
Humans have a curious trait. We tend to overlook the value of things within our reach while overvaluing things that are far away. Why do we behave this way?
From a psychological perspective, familiar things create an illusion that they are “always available.” We take their value for granted and underestimate them.
Meanwhile, distant things we haven’t yet obtained become idealized in our imagination. They appear more attractive than they actually are. This is the very mechanism of human desire.
However, our ancestors understood this human nature deeply. No matter how magnificent a building, it will collapse if its foundation is weak. No matter how distant the journey, it begins with the first step.
Without the foundation of close relationships, distant goals are nothing but castles built on sand.
This proverb has been passed down through generations because humans have repeated the same mistakes over and over. Each time a new era arrives, people become dazzled by distant, brilliant things and neglect what is at their feet.
Only after failing do they finally realize the importance of what was near. Our ancestors saw through this universal human weakness.
When AI Hears This
In complexity science, the properties of a whole system cannot be explained by simply adding up its parts. This is called “emergence.” For example, a single ant performs only simple actions, yet as a group, ants create surprisingly efficient paths.
This happens because each ant accumulates work right in front of it (the near), resulting in an unpredictable overall order (the far).
What’s interesting is that trying to skip this process and imitate only the result doesn’t work. Think of fractal patterns. A coastline has similar complexity whether viewed at 10 meters or 1 kilometer. This is called scale invariance.
In other words, structure at small scales determines properties at large scales. If you skip intermediate stages, the structure itself doesn’t form.
The butterfly effect is similar. Tiny differences in initial conditions create enormous differences later. Each nearby step actually influences distant outcomes in nonlinear ways. That’s why there are no “shortcuts.”
Fine adjustments and learning at each stage become the foundation for the next stage. Only when these accumulate does the emergent result of a distant goal appear. The ancients empirically understood the self-organizing principles of complex systems.
Lessons for Today
In modern society, technological advancement has changed the meaning of physical distance. But this makes the teaching of this proverb even more important.
If you have big dreams, that’s wonderful. But the stairway to those dreams begins with your relationships with people beside you right now.
Conversations at the dinner table with family, casual chats with coworkers, participation in small community activities—these are not detours from your dreams. Rather, they are nourishment that deepens your roots as a person and builds strength so you won’t fall when storms come.
Practically speaking, there are things you can start today. Put down your smartphone and listen to the person in front of you. Before writing a message to someone far away, speak to the person in the next seat.
Before thinking about global issues, turn your attention to small problems in your own town.
This doesn’t mean narrowing your perspective. True breadth emerges from a solid center. When your footing is secure, you’ll be able to go as far as you wish.
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