How to Read “Even if there is fine food, if you don’t eat it, you won’t know its deliciousness”
Kakō ari to iedomo kurawazareba sono umaki wo shirazu
Meaning of “Even if there is fine food, if you don’t eat it, you won’t know its deliciousness”
This proverb means that no matter how excellent something is, you cannot understand its true value or greatness without experiencing it yourself.
Just seeing or hearing about something only gives you surface-level understanding. Deep understanding and genuine appreciation come only through actual experience.
People use this saying when recommending something to others or encouraging someone who is hesitating. It fits contexts where the message is “don’t just listen to stories—try it yourself first.”
People also use it when reflecting on how their feelings changed dramatically after trying something new.
In today’s world, this proverb carries even more weight. We live in an age overflowing with information.
You can search online and feel like you understand anything. But no amount of research can replace actual experience.
Origin and Etymology
This proverb comes from the ancient Chinese classic “Book of Rites” (Liji), specifically from a chapter called “Record of Learning.”
The original text reads “雖有嘉肴、弗食不知其旨也,” which was brought to Japan and became established there.
“Book of Rites” is one of the important Confucian classics. It discusses rituals and education.
The “Record of Learning” chapter is especially known for its deep examination of the essence of education.
Interestingly, this passage actually serves as a metaphor to explain the importance of education. The original text continues: “雖有至道、弗学不知其善也.”
This means “Even if there is an excellent way, if you don’t study it, you won’t know its goodness.”
In other words, just as you cannot know how delicious food tastes without eating it, you cannot understand the value of excellent teachings without actually studying them.
The ancient scholars used the familiar example of food to make their point about learning and self-cultivation more accessible.
In Japan, mainly the first part became established as an independent proverb. It spread as a saying about the importance of experience.
Interesting Facts
The character “肴” (kō) in “嘉肴” originally meant food eaten with alcohol. In ancient China, alcohol and food were inseparable.
Excellent dishes were especially important for livening up banquets. Therefore, “嘉肴” didn’t just mean delicious food.
It referred to the finest feast prepared with a spirit of hospitality.
The word “旨き” (umaki) today means “delicious” in terms of taste. But in classical Japanese, it had a broader meaning of “good” or “excellent.”
So “旨き” in this proverb doesn’t just refer to good taste. It expresses the comprehensive value and excellence of the food.
Usage Examples
- I had heard about that hot spring resort’s reputation, but “even if there is fine food, if you don’t eat it, you won’t know its deliciousness”—I only understood its appeal after actually going there
- She seems to be hesitating about studying abroad, but as they say “even if there is fine food, if you don’t eat it, you won’t know its deliciousness,” so I think she should try it first
Universal Wisdom
There is a deep gap between understanding something with your head and feeling it with your heart.
This proverb has been passed down for thousands of years precisely because it sees through this essential truth about human nature.
We gain knowledge and think we understand things. We read books, listen to people’s stories, and gather information.
But there is a realm that these activities alone can never reach. Only when we actually experience something through our own bodies does something indescribable get carved into our hearts.
That is living wisdom that transcends logic.
People constantly swing between the desire to observe from a safe place and the curiosity to touch the unknown.
We fear failure and want to avoid getting hurt. But at the same time, we know that true joy and deep emotion exist only beyond that risk.
This proverb gently embraces both human timidity and courage. It says “if you haven’t experienced it yet, you simply don’t know its true value.”
This isn’t criticism. Rather, it’s encouragement: “that’s exactly why taking that step is worthwhile.”
Our ancestors packed into these few words the truth that life’s richness comes from accumulated experiences.
When AI Hears This
In quantum mechanics, an electron’s position spreads as a probability cloud until observed. Only through the act of measurement does it settle at a single point.
Before observation, you cannot say it is “here” or “not here.” The situation this proverb describes—”you won’t know deliciousness without eating”—has exactly the same structure as this quantum uncertainty.
No matter how fine the food, until it enters your mouth and interacts with your taste sensors, it doesn’t have the definite property of being “delicious” to you.
What’s interesting is that reality emerges only through observation. Heisenberg, one of quantum mechanics’ founders, said “it is meaningless to speak of the properties of an unobserved atom.”
Similarly, the deliciousness of food no one has eaten is merely a possibility, not a reality.
The objective fact of the food’s molecular structure exists. But the subjective reality of “deliciousness” cannot arise without interaction with the observing device called the human tongue.
There’s an even deeper similarity. In quantum mechanics, different measuring devices produce different results.
The same food tastes different depending on the eater’s palate and physical condition. This is observer-dependence itself.
Value is a phenomenon that emerges only through the interaction between object and observer.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches modern people is that life is not something to watch as a spectator. It’s something to dive into as the main character.
In today’s world, we are surrounded by countless streams of information. You can watch videos and feel like you’ve traveled.
You can read reviews and feel like you’ve used a product. But are you truly satisfied with that?
There’s a crucial difference between the world through a screen and the reality where you stand on your own feet.
What matters is not waiting until perfect preparation is complete. Of course, I’m not recommending reckless challenges.
But once you have some sense of direction, take the plunge and step forward. A new hobby, a new place, a new encounter.
You might feel anxious at first. But when you actually experience it, discoveries completely different from your imagination await you.
Even if you fail, that too is a valuable experience. Learning from failure has just as much value as learning from success.
What enriches your life is not the amount of information you collect. It’s the depth of experiences you accumulate.
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