How to Read “What those above favor, those below do even more so”
Kami no konomu tokoro, shimo kore yori mo hanahada shi
Meaning of “What those above favor, those below do even more so”
This proverb describes a law of human behavior in organizations and groups. When superiors favor something, subordinates take it even further.
When a leader or boss shows interest in something, people below them notice. They try to meet expectations or win approval by pursuing that interest enthusiastically.
Sometimes subordinates react more strongly than the boss ever intended. This happens naturally in hierarchical relationships.
People use this proverb to explain how influence spreads through organizations. It warns leaders about their responsibility. It also explains why subordinates sometimes go overboard.
This remains a universal phenomenon in modern companies, schools, and all kinds of organizations. When a boss shows slight interest, subordinates might turn it into a full project.
The proverb perfectly captures these situations.
Origin and Etymology
This proverb likely comes from the ancient Chinese text “Book of Rites” (Liji). The original passage reads “What those above favor, those below will do excessively.”
This teaching traveled to Japan and took root in the culture.
The “Book of Rites” is one of Confucianism’s important classics. It discusses rituals and morality. This phrase appears in a context explaining the great influence of rulers and leaders.
It shows a law of human society. The preferences and actions of those above always affect those below. Moreover, that influence amplifies beyond the original degree.
Chinese classics reached Japan long ago. During the Edo period, the samurai class especially valued Confucian learning. This proverb spread as part of that education.
Japanese culture emphasizes organizations and groups. The concept of influence flowing through hierarchical relationships resonated deeply with people’s real experiences.
The phrase structure is elegant. “What those above favor” simply indicates the leader’s preference. “Those below do even more so” shows subordinates exceeding it.
This vivid contrast helps explain why people remember it for so long.
Interesting Facts
This proverb connects deeply with psychological concepts like “conformity pressure” and “obedience to authority.” Modern organizational psychology has proven this phenomenon.
Small remarks or attitudes from superiors get over-interpreted by subordinates. This can steer the entire organization’s direction.
Interestingly, this proverb goes beyond mere observation. It also serves as a warning. Leaders should realize their casual words and actions get amplified.
They must behave carefully. This lesson is built into the proverb itself.
Usage Examples
- The president mentioned being health-conscious, and suddenly everyone at the company joined gyms. This is exactly “what those above favor, those below do even more so”
- The teacher praised one student’s work style, and the whole class started copying it. That’s “what those above favor, those below do even more so” in action
Universal Wisdom
This proverb reveals a fundamental truth about human nature. We are social creatures who constantly seek approval from others, especially superiors.
Why do people detect what those above them like? Why do they try to exceed those preferences?
At the root lies a survival instinct called the need to belong. The desire to be recognized in a group and secure a safe position is basic human nature.
Humans acquired this trait through evolution. Being liked by superiors once literally meant life or death. Even today, that instinct controls our behavior in different forms.
What’s more interesting is that this phenomenon doesn’t come from mere flattery. It often springs from goodwill and enthusiasm. Subordinates act from pure motives.
They want to please their boss and meet expectations. But when that enthusiasm loses direction, it leads to excessive actions that miss the original purpose.
This proverb has been passed down for hundreds of years because it captures an eternal dilemma of human organizations. Leadership and followership. Influence and responsibility.
Individual judgment and group conformity. These tensions exist in human society regardless of the era. Our ancestors saw the difficulty of this delicate balance.
They continue to sound the alarm for future generations.
When AI Hears This
Connect three amplifier stages in an electric circuit. Each stage amplifies by 10 times. The final output becomes 1000 times stronger.
The same phenomenon happens in organizations.
A boss casually says, “I’ve been particular about coffee lately.” This is a weak input signal. The department head hears it and interprets it as “The president values coffee culture.”
He amplifies it 10 times. The section chief thinks “If the department head is serious, this is an important policy.” He amplifies another 10 times.
The supervisor judges “If the section chief is committed, we need budget and personnel.” Another 10 times amplification. By the time it reaches the front line, it becomes a massive 1000-times project.
“Company-wide training at coffee bean plantations.”
The tricky part about amplifier circuits is that they amplify noise along with the signal. Ambiguity and personal mood in the boss’s statement are noise components.
They get amplified at each level and create distortion. Electronic circuits use negative feedback to control amplification. But in organizations, the circuit for “giving feedback upward” doesn’t work well.
Instead, each level adds extra amplification called “anticipation gain.” The output becomes nothing like the original signal.
To prevent this amplification cascade, each level needs a circuit to judge “How much should this signal be amplified?” The coolness to take the boss’s words at face value becomes the organization’s distortion prevention device.
Lessons for Today
This proverb teaches modern people about the heavy responsibility of those with influence. If you’re in a position above others, remember this.
Your casual words and attitudes can be amplified and transmitted in unexpected ways.
At the same time, there’s an important lesson for those in lower positions. The attitude of trying to meet your boss’s or senior’s preferences is wonderful.
But don’t lose sight of the essence. What does the other person really want? Are you overreacting? Develop the power to judge calmly.
In modern society, we increasingly worry about the number of “likes” on social media. We watch our boss’s face for reactions. But this proverb asks us a question.
Are you really acting for what matters? Or are you just overreacting to someone’s preferences?
True maturity means balancing others’ expectations with your own judgment. By knowing this proverb, you can look at your actions more objectively.
You’ll become able to make truly valuable choices.
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