How to Read “Stones have ears”
Ishi ni mimi ari
Meaning of “Stones have ears”
“Stones have ears” means you should be careful because someone might overhear even your secret conversations. It warns that information can leak from unexpected places, as if even lifeless objects like stones have ears.
This proverb applies when you’re having private conversations in seemingly hidden places or when you let your guard down thinking no one is around.
It reminds us that truly complete secrecy doesn’t exist anywhere. This includes private rooms, whispered conversations, and email or message exchanges.
Today, this lesson applies to social media and online communication too. Even posts on locked accounts or limited-access information can spread unexpectedly through screenshots or forwarding.
Even when you say “this is just between us,” there’s no guarantee the information will actually stay secret.
Origin and Etymology
Several theories exist about the origin of this proverb. The most widely accepted theory traces it back to ancient Chinese classics.
In ancient China, there was an expression “stones have ears, walls have eyes.” This phrase likely came to Japan and took root in the culture.
The idea that even inorganic objects like stones have ears might seem strange at first. But this isn’t just a simple metaphor.
It represents the deep insight of ancient people. Even when talking in a closed room, voices travel through walls and leak out in unexpected ways.
Even when you think no one is watching, someone somewhere might be. This saying was born from such real-life experiences.
In royal courts and around powerful people, secret conversations could sometimes be fatal. Someone might be lurking behind the wall.
A spy might be hiding behind stones in the garden. In such tense situations, this phrase served as a warning.
By bringing up stones, which are immovable objects, the saying successfully conveys the lesson that “eavesdroppers exist everywhere” in a more memorable way.
Usage Examples
- Let’s not discuss personnel information in the break room. Stones have ears, you know.
- Stones have ears, so it’s better not to speak badly of others even at home.
Universal Wisdom
The reason “Stones have ears” has been passed down for so long lies in a deep understanding of the power of information in human society.
The desire to keep secrets and the curiosity to know them are fundamental human traits. Throughout history, countless people’s fates have changed because secrets were revealed.
What’s interesting is that this proverb emphasizes not just the fact that “someone is listening,” but also the uncertainty of “leaking from unexpected places.”
By bringing up stones, which are lifeless objects, it expresses the surprise and fear of “I never expected it to come from there.”
People can be cautious within the range they can imagine. But they tend to be defenseless against information leaks through unexpected routes.
This proverb also carries meaning beyond a simple warning. It teaches us about “the weight of words.”
Once words leave your mouth, they’re no longer under your control. They ride the wind, flow with water, and reach unexpected places.
That’s why developing the habit of thinking before speaking is so important. Our ancestors brilliantly expressed the independence and spreadability of words through the paradoxical image of putting ears on immovable stones.
When AI Hears This
Information networks have a famous theory called “the strength of weak ties.” Sociologist Granovetter discovered that casual acquaintances bring more new information than close friends.
This happens because close friends exist in the same information sphere. But weak connections serve as bridges to different information spheres.
What’s fascinating about this proverb is that it points out how “stones” and “walls,” things normally unrelated to information transmission, can actually become important information channels.
In information theory, this is the problem of “unexpected nodes.” When we imagine how information travels, we only think about direct routes from person to person.
But in actual networks, people in unexpected positions become information hubs. Janitors, repair workers, or people who just happen to be there can serve this role.
As the Snowden case revealed, digital-age surveillance exists precisely where we think “no one is here.” Metadata, cookies, and location information are “stone-like existences” that actually record and transmit vast amounts of information.
In other words, this proverb captures the essence that “transmission probability you thought was zero is actually not zero” in information networks.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches modern people is the importance of taking responsibility for our words. With social media everywhere, we send out countless words every day.
But if we forget the spirit of “Stones have ears,” we can get caught up in unexpected troubles.
The important thing isn’t to be afraid and say nothing. Rather, it’s to develop the habit of pausing to think before posting.
Consider: someone might see these words, they might hurt someone, or your future self might regret them. Thinking this way enables more thoughtful communication.
At the same time, this proverb teaches us the value of trust. Relationships with people who truly keep your secrets are irreplaceable.
You can also build deep trust by carefully guarding secrets others confide in you. Words are as solid as stones.
Once they take form, you cannot erase them. That’s why we should all strive to be people who handle words with care.
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