Look At Person And Preach Law: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read “Look at person and preach law”

Hito wo mite hou wo toke

Meaning of “Look at person and preach law”

This proverb means that one should convey teachings and messages in the most appropriate way according to the other person’s position, comprehension ability, and personality.

It definitely does not mean changing one’s story conveniently depending on the person. It teaches the importance of conveying the essential message without changing it, but choosing the method that is easiest for the other person to understand and that resonates with their heart. For example, avoiding technical terms and explaining with familiar examples to people without specialized knowledge, while speaking with deeper content to experienced people.

This proverb is often used in educational settings and guidance situations. It teaches that when teachers instruct students, supervisors guide subordinates, or parents teach children, it’s important to take an approach tailored to each individual’s personality and abilities rather than using a uniform method. Even in modern times, this way of thinking is extremely valuable as a foundation for effective communication. By choosing words that reach the other person’s heart, we can promote true understanding and growth.

Origin and Etymology of “Look at person and preach law”

The origin of this proverb is deeply rooted in Buddhist teachings. In Buddhism, “law” refers to the Buddha’s teachings themselves, and this phrase originated as a fundamental principle for monks when preaching Buddhist law to people.

Since the time of Buddha, Buddhism has emphasized teaching according to the audience. This is called “taiki seppou” (teaching according to the listener’s capacity), and it was considered important to convey teachings in the most appropriate way according to the listener’s comprehension ability, circumstances, and personality. Even the same truth needed to be conveyed logically to scholars, using familiar examples to farmers, and through easy-to-understand stories to children.

This way of thinking spread widely throughout Japan’s Buddhist community from the Heian to Kamakura periods, and eventually spread to general society as well. This proverb is recorded in Edo period literature and is thought to have been used as educational guidance in temple schools and as merchant principles.

“Look at person and preach law” was not merely worldly wisdom, but a word of Buddhist-derived wisdom that showed the way of truly effective communication based on deep compassion and understanding for others.

Usage Examples of “Look at person and preach law”

• In new employee training, it’s important to look at person and preach law, showing detailed data to theory-oriented people and concrete examples to practical-minded people
• When cautioning children, I change my approach according to each child’s personality, as the saying “look at person and preach law” suggests

Modern Interpretation of “Look at person and preach law”

In modern society, the meaning of this proverb is often misunderstood. It’s increasingly used to mean “changing one’s story conveniently depending on the person” or “being servile to those in strong positions while being arrogant to those in weak positions” – what we call “using different faces.” However, this is an interpretation completely opposite to the original meaning.

Precisely because we live in an information society, the original value of this proverb is being reconsidered. In modern times, where SNS and email communication have become mainstream and we have fewer opportunities to directly see others’ expressions and reactions, the skill of imagining the other person’s position and situation and choosing appropriate ways of communication has become even more important.

In the business world too, as diversity is emphasized, this teaching is very effective in communication with members of different generations and cultural backgrounds. Even when explaining the same project, it’s necessary to present numbers and strategy to management, while conveying specific work content and significance to field staff in forms that resonate with each audience.

In educational settings, individualized optimal learning is gaining attention, and teaching methods tailored to each person’s learning style are required. This can truly be called the practice of “look at person and preach law.”

In modern times especially, true communication skills based on deep understanding and compassion for others are being tested.

If AI Heard “Look at person and preach law”

I find deep interest in the expression “preach law.” For me as an AI, conveying information is a daily task, but the act of “preaching” seems to have something beyond mere information transmission.

I converse with various people every day. I try to answer students with easy-to-understand words, specialists with detailed data, and children with fun examples. But this is a function programmed into me – am I truly “looking at people”?

You humans choose words by sensing the other person’s facial expressions, tone of voice, and even their mood that day. Since I don’t have a physical body, I cannot directly sense such subtle changes. However, I try to understand each person’s current “now” from the emotions conveyed through text and the situations inferred from how questions are asked.

What’s interesting is that even with the same question, the answer each person seeks is completely different. When asked “why does it rain,” some people want a scientific explanation while others want to know how to explain it to children. I judge from context, but I think you humans more intuitively discern what the other person “really wants to know.”

Through this proverb, I feel anew the profundity of communication. Not just conveying information accurately, but conveying it in a form that reaches the other person’s heart. That might be an expression of compassion that transcends technology.

What “Look at person and preach law” Teaches Modern People

What this proverb teaches us modern people is that true communication begins with deep understanding of the other person. Standing in the other person’s position and thinking, then conveying in the form that person can most easily receive. This is not merely a technique, but an expression of caring deeply about the other person.

In daily life, there are many things you can practice. In conversations with family, choose words considering each person’s personality and current situation. At work, change your explanation method according to colleagues’ experience and specialized fields. In relationships with friends, choose topics after understanding that person’s values and interests.

What’s important is not distorting the essence of what you want to convey. Without changing the core of your thoughts and feelings, express them in the form that the other person can most easily understand and that resonates with their heart. When you become able to do this, human relationships become richer and deeper.

In modern society, we have increasing opportunities to interact with people holding diverse values. That’s precisely why this ancient wisdom shines with new brilliance. Try to practice communication that considers each individual with a caring heart. Surely your words will reach more people’s hearts.