How to Read “The marten’s pride when the weasel is away”
itachi no naki ma no ten hokori
Meaning of “The marten’s pride when the weasel is away”
This proverb describes how someone in a lower position acts arrogant when their superior is absent.
It criticizes people who should normally show restraint but take advantage of the situation. When someone powerful or senior is away, they temporarily act superior.
You see this at work when a subordinate suddenly acts bossy while the manager is on a business trip. Or when a junior member acts important only when seniors are absent.
People use this proverb because the animal metaphor sharply points out how shallow and unseemly such behavior is.
Even today, such scenes are common in organizations and groups. This proverb serves as a warning against people who lack awareness of their true ability or position.
They take advantage of temporary situations to act superior. The key point is that true ability and character don’t change, regardless of who’s watching.
Origin and Etymology
No clear written records exist about the origin of this proverb. However, we can make interesting observations from how the words are structured.
Both the itachi (weasel) and ten (marten) belong to the weasel family. The itachi is a small carnivore about 30 centimeters long. It lives throughout Japan.
The ten is slightly larger than the itachi. It’s considered more fierce and has better hunting abilities. People have prized its fur since ancient times and treated it as a luxury item.
The relationship between these two animals reveals the proverb’s meaning. The ten is bigger and stronger than the itachi, but they’re ecologically similar as members of the same family.
In other words, the difference isn’t overwhelming. It’s merely a subtle power relationship of being “slightly above.”
The word “hokori” is also important. This doesn’t mean “pride” in the modern sense. In classical Japanese, it means “to act arrogant” or “to be conceited.”
The image of the ten acting arrogant only when the itachi is away seems comical. This is especially true when you consider the actual difference in their abilities.
Japan has long observed animal behavior and created many proverbs expressing human social dynamics through these observations. People believe this proverb was born from that tradition.
Interesting Facts
Weasels and martens look similar, but marten fur has been treated as the highest quality since ancient times. Royalty and nobles used it for decorative items.
People also used weasel fur, but it wasn’t as valuable as marten fur. This “difference in status” might be one reason these animals were chosen for the proverb’s metaphor.
Interestingly, while the ten is larger than the itachi, the difference is small. The combination of these two animals was perfect for expressing a subtle hierarchy rather than an overwhelming power difference.
Usage Examples
- The assistant manager suddenly got bossy the moment the director left for an overseas trip. It’s truly the marten’s pride when the weasel is away.
- When I see a junior colleague acting superior only on days when seniors are off, I remember the saying the marten’s pride when the weasel is away.
Universal Wisdom
This proverb has been passed down because it brilliantly captures an essential human weakness. Everyone has a desire to appear bigger and to be recognized.
However, when this desire isn’t satisfied appropriately, people try to gain temporary superiority by taking advantage of situations.
What’s interesting is that this proverb implies not just “the person acting superior” but also “the eyes watching them.” The person who acts arrogant only when superiors are absent is actually being carefully observed by those around them.
And that behavior appears comical and pitiful to others.
In human society, true ability and character don’t change regardless of who’s watching. Yet many people change their attitude depending on the situation.
This may be because they unconsciously understand that their position and power only exist within relationships with others.
This proverb teaches the importance of having a consistent way of being that doesn’t change in any situation. It’s about not relying on superficial authority or position.
Our ancestors saw through human weakness but conveyed in these brief words that there’s a path to transcend it.
When AI Hears This
In ecology, there’s a law called the “competitive exclusion principle.” Two species competing for the same resources cannot coexist long-term. One will inevitably be excluded.
The itachi and ten are in exactly this relationship. Both are carnivores that hunt small mammals. But the itachi is larger and has better hunting abilities. In other words, the itachi is the ten’s “superior compatible species.”
What’s interesting is that the situation this proverb describes is temporary. In ecology, when a superior competitor disappears, “competitive release” occurs. The inferior species rapidly increases in population.
However, this doesn’t last long. A new competitor always enters the vacant niche (ecological position). You can see this clearly in plant succession after forest fires.
Weeds flourish first, but eventually shrubs and then tall trees replace them.
This pattern is the same in corporate markets. When a major company goes bankrupt, mid-sized companies temporarily expand their market share. But statistically, this state only lasts about two years on average.
Another major player or emerging force enters, and competition intensifies again.
In other words, this proverb expresses a universal law of ecosystems: power vacuums are always filled. A superior position is merely a product of temporary environmental change. The entire system constantly tries to return to equilibrium.
Lessons for Today
This proverb teaches you the value of being consistent. People who can maintain the same attitude whether anyone is watching or not gain true trust from those around them.
Modern society especially has more environments where direct supervision is difficult. Remote work and flexible hours are increasing. That’s why self-management ability and internal discipline are more important than ever.
If you’re in a leadership position, imagine how your subordinates or juniors behave when you’re not there. And if you work in an organization, reflect on your own attitude when your boss or seniors are absent.
What matters is having your own axis that doesn’t depend on others’ presence. This isn’t rigid perfectionism. It means staying sincere while valuing your authentic self.
This kind of attitude is what will enrich your life in the long run.
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