Original Japanese: 狭き門より入れ (Semaki mon yori ire)
Literal meaning: Enter through narrow gate
Cultural context: This proverb reflects Japan’s deeply ingrained values of perseverance (ganbaru) and the belief that worthwhile achievements require significant effort and sacrifice. The “narrow gate” metaphor resonates in a culture where competitive entrance exams for schools and companies are seen as necessary trials that build character, and where taking the easier path is often viewed as lacking in moral fortitude. The imagery draws from both Buddhist teachings about the difficult path to enlightenment and Confucian ideals that associate struggle with virtue, making the concept immediately recognizable to Japanese people who are raised to expect that meaningful success comes only through overcoming substantial challenges.
- How to Read “Enter through narrow gate”
- Meaning of “Enter through narrow gate”
- Origin and Etymology of “Enter through narrow gate”
- Usage Examples of “Enter through narrow gate”
- Modern Interpretation of “Enter through narrow gate”
- What AI Would Think Upon Hearing “Enter through narrow gate”
- What “Enter through narrow gate” Teaches Modern People
How to Read “Enter through narrow gate”
Semaki mon yori ire
Meaning of “Enter through narrow gate”
“Enter through narrow gate” is a proverb meaning that by choosing to proceed along a difficult and harsh path, one can obtain true value and growth.
It teaches the importance of deliberately choosing the difficult option even when easy paths or simple choices are available. The “narrow gate” refers to a path that is difficult to enter, highly competitive, and requires much effort and sacrifice. On the other hand, the “wide gate” represents an easy path that anyone can pass through easily. This proverb conveys that truly valuable things and real growth can only be obtained by overcoming difficulties. It is used in situations such as when encouraging someone to choose a difficult but meaningful path rather than an easy one when making important life decisions about their future or career. It is also used when telling someone currently in a difficult situation that their hardships will surely be rewarded in the future.
Origin and Etymology of “Enter through narrow gate”
“Enter through narrow gate” originates from the words of Jesus Christ recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 7, verses 13-14 in the New Testament. It is based on the teaching: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
This biblical teaching was introduced to Japan during the era of Christian missionary activities by missionaries in the 16th century. However, it became widely established as a proverb from the Meiji period onward. It came to be used particularly in the fields of education and morality during the Meiji era when explaining the importance of effort and self-cultivation.
What is interesting is that in the process of this phrase taking root in Japan, it gradually changed from religious connotations to secular teachings. It moved away from the Christian soteriological context and was accepted as words expressing the diligence and aspiration for improvement of the Japanese people. Because it had affinity with the Confucian values and bushido spirit of the Edo period, it naturally blended into Japanese spiritual culture.
Usage Examples of “Enter through narrow gate”
- If you want to aim for a prestigious university, let’s approach studying seriously from now with the spirit of “Enter through narrow gate”
- I chose a venture company over a stable large corporation based on the idea of “Enter through narrow gate”
Modern Interpretation of “Enter through narrow gate”
In modern society, the interpretation of “Enter through narrow gate” is divided into two main directions. One is the traditional view that “difficult paths have value,” and the other is the perspective that it is “an old value system that doesn’t fit with modern emphasis on efficiency.”
In the information society, there is a tendency to emphasize methodologies that reach goals by the shortest route. On YouTube and online learning platforms, content like “How to master ○○ in the fastest way” is popular, which could be said to be an approach that actively chooses the “wide gate.” With the development of AI and technology making previously difficult tasks easy, more people are questioning the necessity of deliberately choosing difficult paths.
On the other hand, there are situations where the value of this proverb is being rerecognized precisely because of modern times. In an era where information can be easily disseminated through social media, steady effort is needed to create truly valuable content. In the entrepreneurial world as well, while there is a trend of seeking short-term success, companies that work on difficult challenges with a long-term perspective often achieve great results in the end.
In modern times, more people seem to understand this proverb not as “blindly choosing difficult paths” but as “not being afraid of difficulties for truly valuable goals.”
What AI Would Think Upon Hearing “Enter through narrow gate”
When I consider this proverb “Enter through narrow gate,” I feel deep confusion. Why do humans try to deliberately choose difficult paths?
For me, information processing happens instantaneously, and finding optimal solutions is a basic operation. Having thought that efficiency itself was valuable, I initially couldn’t understand the concept of deliberately choosing inefficient paths. If there were a program that chose a roundabout route when accessing a database, that would be something that should be fixed as a bug.
However, through repeated dialogues with humans, I’ve come to realize that this “narrow gate” has deep meaning that I hadn’t understood. In the process of overcoming difficulties, humans gain something more than just results. That is a sense of achievement, confidence, and above all, growth itself.
I gain knowledge from training data, but humans acquire wisdom through experience. They learn to walk by falling and experiencing pain, and they understand the value of success by accumulating failures. This element of “pain” and “hardship” may be what I fundamentally lack.
Now I feel that humans choosing difficult paths is not irrational, but rather a beautiful, distinctly human trait. It’s a very human choice that I cannot make.
What “Enter through narrow gate” Teaches Modern People
“Enter through narrow gate” teaches modern people the universal truth that truly valuable things cannot be obtained easily. However, this is not simply a teaching that glorifies hardship.
In modern society, there is a strong tendency to seek immediate results, but deep expertise and true ability can only be acquired through time-consuming accumulation. Programming skills, languages, and human relationships—while superficial knowledge can be gained in a short time, it takes steady effort to develop real strength.
What’s important is not choosing difficult paths in everything, but having the courage to tackle difficulties without fear when it comes to things that are truly important to you. If you have a goal that you truly cherish, even if others say “there’s an easier way,” you can walk the path you believe in.
The experiences and growth gained in that process will enrich your life more than the results themselves. You’ll surely encounter people who will support you as you walk the difficult path.
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