How to Read “One must exist, two must not exist”
Ichi nakarubekarazu, futatsu arubekarazu
Meaning of “One must exist, two must not exist”
This proverb means “one is absolutely necessary, but two must not exist.” It teaches that organizations and groups need exactly one leader or central figure.
Having two or more leaders creates confusion and conflict.
This saying applies to company management, household decision-making, and project leadership. Any situation requiring clear decisions needs a single authority.
When two people hold power, problems arise. Policies diverge, instructions contradict each other, and factions form. The entire organization becomes unstable.
The proverb emphasizes the importance of unified command. Even today, companies have one CEO, ships have one captain, and families benefit from clear final decision-makers.
This wisdom teaches balanced organizational management. You must have what you need, but duplication causes harm.
Origin and Etymology
No clear historical record identifies the exact origin of this proverb. However, its structure suggests influence from Buddhism or Confucianism.
The old prohibitive expression “bekarazu” indicates the phrase dates back to ancient times.
“One must exist, two must not exist” uses a parallel structure. The first half affirms “one is necessary,” while the second half negates “two is unacceptable.”
This contrasting structure appears frequently in Chinese classical literature and Buddhist scriptures.
The concept behind this saying connects deeply with traditional Japanese values. It reflects the importance of order in organizations and households.
The idea that “there should be one leader” and “there should be one master” forms the background. Throughout history, warrior families and merchant houses passed down this teaching.
It warned against the confusion and conflict that arise when two leaders exist. The words are simple, but the wisdom they contain sharply addresses fundamental problems in human society.
Usage Examples
- Having two presidents slows down decision-making, so following “One must exist, two must not exist,” we should unify the top position
- Too many captains steer the ship up a mountain—this is exactly “One must exist, two must not exist”
Universal Wisdom
“One must exist, two must not exist” has been passed down because it contains deep insight into the fundamental structure of human society.
Humans are creatures that live in groups. For these groups to function, clear direction and unified decision-making are essential.
What’s interesting is that this proverb warns against both “having zero” and “having two” simultaneously. Disorder without a leader is problematic, but confusion with multiple leaders is equally dangerous.
This recognition sees through the essential nature of humans. People have both a desire to follow someone and a desire to know clearly whom to trust.
When two leaders exist, people inevitably split. This happens because humans instinctively form factions.
They choose one side, form alliances, and create opposition. This has been an unchanging human habit since ancient times. Our ancestors understood this human nature deeply.
That’s why organizations need “one center.” This doesn’t advocate dictatorship—it’s wisdom to avoid confusion.
It’s a simple but universal principle for human society to function stably.
When AI Hears This
When you express system reliability mathematically, an interesting fact emerges. If one component works normally with 90% probability, relying only on it means 10% probability of total failure.
But prepare two identical components so that if one breaks, the other works. The probability of both breaking simultaneously drops to 10% × 10%, which equals 1%. Reliability increases tenfold.
However, adding a third component only improves reliability from 1% to 0.1%—just one-tenth better. Meanwhile, managing three components costs not just 1.5 times more, but often doubles due to consistency checks between them.
Even NASA spacecraft design uses redundancy for critical systems, but triple redundancy is extremely limited. The safety improvement doesn’t justify the cost.
DNA’s double helix follows the same principle. If one strand gets damaged, it can be repaired using the other as a template.
Would a triple helix be perfect? No—the mechanism to keep three strands constantly synchronized would be too complex for life to exist.
This proverb recognized through experience that “two” is the optimal solution for maximum safety at minimum cost.
Lessons for Today
This proverb teaches modern people a clear principle: “Have what you need reliably, and don’t have what’s unnecessary.”
You can apply this wisdom to various aspects of your life.
Consider career choices. Building one solid expertise works better than chasing multiple paths half-heartedly. The same applies to hobbies and lessons.
Pursuing one thing deeply brings more fulfillment than dabbling in many.
This wisdom also applies to relationships. You need a trustworthy advisor, but consulting multiple people about the same problem often creates confusion. Each person gives different advice.
Modern life offers too many choices. That’s why the ability to identify “what’s truly necessary” becomes crucial.
This proverb shows a simple but powerful guideline for living: have what you need without fail, and avoid unnecessary duplication.
What is the “one thing” truly necessary in your life? Cherish it and nurture it carefully.
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