How to Read “No person among people”
Hito aru naka ni hito nashi
Meaning of “No person among people”
“No person among people” means that even when many people are around, truly reliable individuals are rare.
When you look around, there are certainly lots of people. But when it comes to someone who can really help in critical moments, someone you can rely on in difficult situations, or someone you can trust with important work, there are actually very few.
This proverb is used when discussing the quality of personnel in organizations or groups. It shows that the number of people and the quality of people are completely different issues.
Sometimes a hundred people cannot match one talented individual. When a company or organization says they are “short-staffed,” it often points to a lack of truly capable people rather than a numbers problem.
Even today, you might experience this truth. You may have many connections on social media, but very few friends you can truly trust.
Origin and Etymology
The exact source of this proverb is unclear, but its structure offers interesting insights.
The expression “No person among people” uses the same character for “person” twice while contrasting their meanings. The “person” in the first half refers simply to the number or existence of human beings. The “person” in the second half means truly valuable individuals or reliable people.
This wordplay-like structure reflects techniques influenced by classical Japanese literature and Chinese texts. Repeating the same word while changing its meaning creates a strong impression and makes the phrase memorable.
The background of this proverb likely involves concern about personnel quality in organizations and groups.
In Edo period samurai society and merchant houses, identifying truly trustworthy people was crucial even when employing many workers. The recognition that quantity and quality of people are separate matters was a pressing issue for those in leadership positions.
This proverb is thought to express wisdom born from such experiences through striking verbal contrast.
Usage Examples
- This department has 30 people, but it’s “No person among people”—the burden always falls on the same members
- I have over a thousand followers, but it’s “No person among people”—I don’t have a single person I can truly confide in
Universal Wisdom
The proverb “No person among people” touches on a deep truth about human society. It addresses the universal theme of the fundamental difference between quantity and quality.
Humans are creatures that form groups, but the size of a group does not necessarily correspond to its strength.
Why has this proverb been passed down through the ages? Because in every era, people tend to be misled by “large numbers” and lose sight of “high quality.”
Humans have a psychology of feeling secure when surrounded by many companions. However, when facing truly difficult situations, what matters is not the number of people but their character, ability, and sincerity.
Another truth this proverb reveals is the rarity of truly valuable people. The scarcity of excellent individuals is not just a modern problem.
Throughout history, people who can demonstrate leadership, face difficulties, and support others have always been few. This is because human growth requires time, experience, and personal effort.
Our ancestors calmly observed this reality and emphasized the importance of discerning personnel quality.
The wisdom to see through appearances and grasp the essence without being deceived by superficial numbers or looks is the eternal teaching this proverb seeks to convey.
When AI Hears This
Our judgment about who is truly excellent in a group is surprisingly distorted. In research by psychologists Dunning and Kruger, people who scored in the bottom 12 percent on a test estimated they were in the top 38 percent.
In other words, the less capable people are, the more they overestimate themselves. Conversely, truly excellent people tend to underestimate themselves, thinking “anyone can do this much.”
When we apply this phenomenon to “No person among people,” something interesting emerges. In seemingly mediocre groups, those who loudly display confidence are often less capable. The true experts are likely hidden among those who remain quiet and modest.
In other words, in groups where “people who claim to be people” stand out, the real “people” become invisible because they don’t assert themselves.
What’s even more interesting is that this cognitive bias exists for a reason. People with low ability also lack the ability to judge what excellence is, so they cannot notice their own shortcomings.
Meanwhile, highly capable people assume others can do the same things. This means that recognizing who is truly excellent in a group requires an expert eye in that field.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches modern people is a way of life that values “quality” in human relationships.
In an age of competing for social media followers and friend counts, we need to reconsider the value of deepening relationships with truly trustworthy people.
In work situations, focusing on improving each person’s abilities is more important than increasing team size.
You should also strive to become truly reliable personnel so you don’t become one of the “no person among people.” This doesn’t require special talent. It starts with sincerity, responsibility, and the courage not to run away when times are tough.
When choosing people, cultivate the ability to discern their essence rather than judging by superficial impressions or titles. Building a small number of high-quality relationships will enrich your life.
Most importantly, aim to become “a truly reliable person” for someone. A way of life that competes on quality rather than quantity is the hope this proverb conveys to the modern world.
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