How to Read “The sun and moon do not fall to the earth”
Jitsugetsu wa chi ni ochizu
Meaning of “The sun and moon do not fall to the earth”
“The sun and moon do not fall to the earth” means that just as the sun and moon continue their eternal journey across the sky, the laws of nature and truth never change. It expresses the idea that what is right remains right, and truth remains truth, regardless of human intentions or the passage of time.
This proverb is used to remind us that unchanging principles and truths exist, even in times of confusion and uncertainty. When you feel swept away by trends or when injustice seems to prevail, saying “but the sun and moon do not fall to the earth” expresses confidence that truth will ultimately win.
In modern society, we are flooded with information. Sometimes it becomes hard to know what is true. This proverb teaches us that essential values and principles exist that transcend time.
Human affairs may be fleeting. But universal values like justice and honesty remain as steady as the movement of celestial bodies.
Origin and Etymology
The exact source of this proverb is not identified. However, it likely stems from the deep reverence Japanese people have held for celestial bodies since ancient times.
The sun and moon have shone in the sky since long before humanity was born. For ancient people, the daily rising sun and the waxing and waning moon were both the most familiar and most mysterious phenomena. When agriculture began, people understood that celestial movements deeply affected their lives through changing seasons and tides.
The phrase “do not fall to the earth” carries important meaning. Everything on the ground decays and changes form. But the sun and moon alone never fall to earth, no matter how much time passes. They continue their regular movement. This contrast is the heart of this proverb.
The proverb likely also reflects influence from Chinese classical thought, especially ideas about the unchanging nature of heaven. In Japan, the word “tendō” has long expressed the correct path ordained by heaven. The movement of the sun and moon was the clearest proof of this heavenly way. This proverb is considered a crystallization of Eastern views on nature and truth.
Usage Examples
- No matter how chaotic the world becomes, the sun and moon do not fall to the earth, and correct principles will always remain
- There’s no need to be confused by temporary trends, because as the sun and moon do not fall to the earth, truth does not change
Universal Wisdom
Behind the passing down of “The sun and moon do not fall to the earth” lies a fundamental human anxiety. We live in constant change. Rulers are replaced, values shift, and what was right yesterday is denied today. In such uncertainty, people cannot help but seek “something certain.”
When ancient people looked up at the night sky, they discovered order that contrasted sharply with earthly chaos. The sun always rises in the east. The moon waxes and wanes with regularity. Even as dynasties fell and wars raged, the celestial bodies continued their unchanging movement. This discovery must have given people deep reassurance.
What this proverb reveals is the “longing for the unchanging” deep in the human heart. We fear change, yet we must live within it. That’s why we want to believe that unchanging truth exists somewhere. This is a fundamental human spirituality that connects to religious faith.
Our ancestors found in this cosmic order the prototype for morality and ethics that humans should follow. Just as heaven does not fall into disorder, there are principles in the human heart that must not be disturbed. That insight is the true value of this proverb.
When AI Hears This
The sun and moon will certainly rise tomorrow. But looking at Earth’s 4.6 billion year history, asteroids over 10 kilometers in diameter have struck Earth dozens of times. The dinosaur extinction 66 million years ago was precisely an event where “a giant rock fell from the sky.” On an astronomical timescale, the “absolute stability” this proverb suggests has been broken many times.
The human brain has a cognitive bias called availability heuristic. This is a mechanism that makes us mistakenly think “events we can easily remember happen more frequently.” We see the sun rise every day, so we feel it will continue forever. Conversely, no one has experienced asteroid impact, so we mistakenly think the probability is nearly zero.
In reality, over 2,000 asteroids that could potentially hit Earth are currently being monitored. The probability of a collision that would cause human extinction is about once every million years. You won’t encounter it in your lifetime, but across all human history, it’s at a level that “will definitely happen someday.”
What this proverb ironically teaches us may be “the danger of overconfidence in daily stability.” Judging only by the short timescale of personal experience causes us to overlook truly important low-frequency, high-impact risks. Pandemics and massive earthquakes have the same structure.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches modern people is the importance of having an axis that isn’t swayed by trends or temporary fads. On social media, new information flies around every day. Yesterday’s common sense becomes outdated today. But even in such times, this proverb reminds us that unchanging values exist.
Should the beliefs and principles you hold dear be easily changed by others’ opinions? Of course, flexibility to accept new knowledge and perspectives is necessary. But at the same time, fundamental human values like integrity, honesty, and compassion never fade, no matter how times change.
This proverb encourages you to have “an unwavering core.” This is different from stubbornness. Just as the sun and moon move according to physical laws, you too can live according to certain principles within yourself.
Even when your surroundings are chaotic, if you have unchanging truth within you, it will serve as your life’s compass. When you feel lost, look up at the sky. Remember the sun and moon that shine unchangingly.
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