How to Read “Rivers and seas do not choose small streams”
Kakai wa sairyū wo erabazu
Meaning of “Rivers and seas do not choose small streams”
This proverb means that truly great people accept everything without looking down on small or trivial things. They have the generosity to welcome all contributions.
Just as great rivers and oceans maintain their richness and depth by accepting even the tiniest streams, truly excellent people welcome others regardless of their status, ability, or the size of their contributions.
This proverb is often used when talking about the ideal attitude of leaders and mentors. It describes leaders who listen to small suggestions from their subordinates and value even minor contributions.
People also use it to praise someone’s generous character and capacity to embrace others. Today, it’s sometimes quoted when discussing the importance of accepting diversity and treating people without prejudice.
Origin and Etymology
This proverb likely comes from the ancient Chinese text “Records of the Grand Historian” (Shiji). A passage in “Memorial on the Expulsion of Guest Ministers” by Li Si, a prime minister of Qin, contains the original idea.
The text says: “Mount Tai does not refuse soil, therefore it can achieve its greatness. Rivers and seas do not choose small streams, therefore they can achieve their depth.”
Li Si wrote this to persuade the King of Qin not to expel talented people from other states. He argued that just as Mount Tai grows large by accepting all soil, and rivers and seas become deep by welcoming all streams, great leaders should accept talented people regardless of their origin or status.
The proverb came to Japan along with Chinese classics. It became established as a way to express leadership qualities and greatness of character.
“Kakai” refers to great rivers and seas. “Sairyū” means thin streams or small rivers. The natural principle that large bodies of water maintain their abundance by accepting even the smallest water has been passed down as an ideal for human behavior.
Usage Examples
- He embodies the spirit of “Rivers and seas do not choose small streams” by seriously listening to proposals from newcomers
- That company president truly lives by “Rivers and seas do not choose small streams,” treating everyone equally without discrimination
Universal Wisdom
“Rivers and seas do not choose small streams” has been passed down through generations because it contains deep insight about human growth and maturity.
Everyone naturally respects those who are superior or more powerful. But we unconsciously become arrogant toward things that seem smaller than us.
This proverb teaches us a paradox: true strength and richness actually come from the generosity to accept small things.
The ocean remains an ocean because it doesn’t refuse small streams. If the ocean started being selective and said “I won’t accept such tiny streams,” it would eventually dry up.
The same applies to people. If you only accept things that match your values and exclude what seems small, your world gradually becomes narrow and poor.
Our ancestors understood that truly great people aren’t those who overpower others with force. They’re people with the capacity to accept everything.
Inclusion rather than exclusion, acceptance rather than selection—this is what truly enriches people. This wisdom is a timeless truth that will never fade as long as humans live in society.
When AI Hears This
Network science has a principle called “preferential attachment.” Nodes with many connections tend to gain new connections more easily. For example, giant sites like Google naturally attract thousands of new links daily, while small personal sites get almost none.
What’s important is that major hubs don’t “choose only high-quality links.” Rather, they keep growing because they accept links from unknown blogs and major media outlets alike.
If a great river “refused to accept small tributaries,” its water volume wouldn’t increase. Real rivers follow gravity and collect all streams, which is why they eventually achieve overwhelming volume.
According to researcher Barabási’s analysis, this “non-selective” attitude creates power law distributions. This means a structure with a few super-giant hubs and many small nodes.
If there were selection, networks would have uniform structures and wouldn’t be scale-free.
Rivers and seas not choosing small streams isn’t just about generosity. It’s the mathematically optimal strategy for achieving maximum growth as a system.
Rejection has costs, while acceptance has compound effects. Ancient people intuitively grasped this essence of network growth.
Lessons for Today
This proverb teaches modern people that true strength isn’t the power to exclude, but the power to accept.
Modern society often values efficiency and productivity. “Selection and concentration” is considered a virtue. Using limited time and energy effectively is certainly important.
However, in human relationships and personal growth, this “non-selective” attitude is what truly enriches you.
Listening to a junior colleague’s clumsy opinion at work. Empathizing with a child’s small discovery at home. Supporting a friend’s minor worry.
These seemingly “inefficient” actions accumulate to create your depth as a human being.
Most importantly, you should direct this attitude toward yourself too. Accept your small emotions, trivial interests, and experiences you think are boring.
These accumulate to create your richness as a person. Rivers and seas do not choose small streams. When your heart has the generosity to accept everything like a great ocean, your life should become deeper and richer.
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