How to Read “驥尾に付す”
Kibi ni fusu
Meaning of “驥尾に付す”
“Attach to thoroughbred’s tail” means that by following and acting alongside an excellent person, you can also achieve good results.
Just like grasping onto a famous horse’s tail to move forward, by staying close to capable people or successful individuals, you can attain high positions and achievements that would be impossible to reach on your own. This expression carries a positive meaning of achieving goals through wise choices while acknowledging that there are limits to one’s own power alone.
Usage scenarios include choosing environments with excellent people when changing jobs or advancing in education, working under successful people in business, and studying under outstanding instructors for learning. It expresses the value of strategically building relationships with excellent people, not as mere dependence but as strategic judgment. Even today, it is understood as the importance of finding mentors and placing oneself in environments where growth is possible, and is often used in the context of self-improvement and career development.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of “Attach to thoroughbred’s tail” comes from the expression “Attach to thoroughbred’s tail to reach a thousand ri” found in the ancient Chinese classic “Records of the Grand Historian” (Shiji). Ki (驥) refers to a famous horse that can gallop a thousand ri in one day, and the meaning was that by grasping onto this excellent horse’s tail and moving forward, one could reach distant places that would normally be unreachable.
This historical tale originally expressed the philosophy of China’s Warring States period. The intellectuals of that time believed that by following excellent people, they too could achieve high positions and results. In the “Records of the Grand Historian,” it was used in the context of explaining the importance of following wise men and those in power.
It was transmitted to Japan around the Heian period as classical Chinese literature and later became established as a Japanese proverb. Since it can be found in Edo period literature, it is considered an expression that has been familiar to Japanese people for quite a long time. What’s interesting is that this phrase, which was spoken of as practical worldly wisdom in China, came to be understood in a slightly different context in Japan. It likely developed its own unique interpretation by connecting with Japanese-specific humility and the culture that values how one conducts oneself within a group.
Interesting Facts
The character ki (驥) is actually written with the “horse” radical and “ji,” making it an extremely complex character that is one of the rarely used characters in modern times. This character alone means “excellent horse” or “famous horse,” and in ancient China it was used carefully as a special character representing the highest grade of horses.
Interestingly, a horse that runs a thousand ri in one day would, calculated by modern standards, need to continue running at approximately 200 kilometers per hour. This is clearly an unrealistic speed, but for ancient people it was probably a metaphor to express an ideal that was “so excellent as to be unattainable.”
Usage Examples
- Since I’ll be able to work under that company’s excellent department manager, I want to attach to thoroughbred’s tail and grow
- Being able to advance a project together with an industry-leading senior is truly a chance to attach to thoroughbred’s tail
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the concept of “Attach to thoroughbred’s tail” has come to have more complex and diverse meanings. This is because the proliferation of social media and the internet has dramatically changed the ways to have contact with excellent people.
While previously being physically close was a prerequisite, now it has become possible to “Attach to thoroughbred’s tail” by following celebrities online, participating in webinars, or joining online salons. Learning the thought processes of excellent people through YouTube or podcasts can also be called a modern version of “Attach to thoroughbred’s tail.”
On the other hand, precisely because we live in an age of information overload, the choice of whose “tail” to attach to has become more important. In a world overflowing with influencers and self-proclaimed experts, the ability to discern truly valuable people is required.
Also, with the collapse of the lifetime employment system, the risks of depending on a single boss or company have increased. In modern times, the “multi-mentor” approach of learning from multiple excellent people is becoming mainstream. Rather than a single “thoroughbred’s tail,” the flexibility to learn from experts in various fields is being emphasized.
Furthermore, with the diversification of individual values and work styles, the standards for what constitutes “excellence” have also changed. We have entered an era where comprehensive judgment is required, including not just income and status, but also work-life balance and degree of social contribution.
When AI Hears This
The moment we hit “like” on social media, we unconsciously practice “attaching ourselves to a fine horse’s tail.” When influencers with millions of followers post content, the phenomenon of tens of thousands of likes instantly gathering is precisely the embodiment of ancient wisdom about grasping onto a famous horse’s tail to gain recognition.
What’s fascinating is how social media algorithms accelerate this “attaching to a fine horse’s tail” behavior. Platforms prioritize posts from highly influential accounts, and followers react to these posts to demonstrate their own presence. In other words, the system itself creates a structure for “following the famous horse.”
Even more remarkable is how this behavioral pattern has been streamlined to its extreme in modern times. In ancient times, one would need to physically follow behind a horse-drawn carriage, but now we can instantly “attach” with a single tap. Retweet and share functions represent the modern version of “attaching to a fine horse’s tail” by spreading influential people’s statements throughout our own networks.
However, “attaching to a fine horse’s tail” in the social media era has also created new risks. There’s the danger of getting caught up in online controversies or the spread of misinformation. Just as ancient people carefully chose whom to “attach” themselves to, the ability to judge whom to follow and what to share has become even more crucial in our modern age.
Lessons for Today
What “Attach to thoroughbred’s tail” teaches modern people is the importance of a humble approach to growth. Rather than trying to accomplish everything through one’s own power alone, it’s important to actively seek opportunities to learn from excellent people.
In modern society, as mentorship and coaching are gaining attention, the value of learning from someone is being recognized anew. Why don’t you start by finding a senior colleague you respect at work or following experts in fields that interest you?
What’s important is carefully choosing who to learn from. Rather than simply because someone is famous, finding people who match your values and goals is the key to success. And it’s also essential to have an attitude of not being passive, but actively asking questions, practicing, and digesting things in your own way.
This proverb is not recommending dependence. Rather, it teaches us the importance of maximizing our potential through wise choices. If you can use the learning and stimulation gained from being near excellent people as nourishment for your own growth, you will surely be able to achieve results beyond your imagination.
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