How to Read “好事魔多し”
Kouji ma ooshi
Meaning of “好事魔多し”
“Good things demons many” is a proverb meaning that when good or happy things happen, disasters or difficulties are likely to follow afterward.
This proverb expresses the law of life’s ups and downs, and is used with the admonishing meaning that one should be especially careful when things are going smoothly. It is often used with feelings of “complacency is forbidden” or “let’s stay alert” during joyful life milestone events such as weddings, promotions, or business success.
It is also used to comfort people who are already facing some kind of difficulty. It functions as emotional support for accepting misfortune, such as “That person had been having good things happen recently, so perhaps this incident was inevitable.” Even today, this phrase is often quoted when athletes get injured during good periods, or when companies that were sailing smoothly suddenly face crises.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of “Good things demons many” traces back to Chinese classics. This expression is said to have originated from the phrase “好事多魔” (good things many demons) found in Chinese literature, which was transmitted to Japan and became established there.
“Good things” means good events or auspicious matters, while “demons” means disasters or obstacles. In ancient China, there was a way of thinking that when good things happen in life, bad things are likely to occur as a reaction. This is a concept that connects to yin-yang philosophy, reflecting the fundamental Eastern philosophical worldview that all things necessarily have front and back, light and shadow.
In Japan, this concept was transmitted through Chinese literature around the Heian period, and similar expressions began appearing in literature from the Kamakura period onward. It is believed that by the Edo period, it came to be used among common people in the form close to the current “Good things demons many.”
The background for this phrase taking root in Japan likely lies in its resonance with Japanese aesthetic sensibilities such as “mono no aware” (the pathos of things) and the sense of impermanence. It matched the distinctly Japanese sensibility of becoming anxious when good things continue, or suspecting that there might be something behind things that are too perfect.
Interesting Facts
The character “demons” in “Good things demons many” originally comes from Buddhist terminology. In Buddhism, evil forces that interfere with training are called “demons,” particularly referring to obstacles that appear before those trying to achieve enlightenment. In other words, the “demons” in this proverb carries the meaning not of mere misfortune, but of active evil forces that confuse people’s hearts.
Merchants of the Edo period particularly often used this proverb as a business precept. The habit of being more cautious when business was going well and keeping surplus funds in reserve is said to have come from practicing the teachings of this phrase.
Usage Examples
- Just after returning from our honeymoon, my husband was forced to change jobs – it’s truly “Good things demons many”
- I was rejoicing over my son’s university acceptance, but now my daughter is struggling with her entrance exams. “Good things demons many” is well said indeed
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, “Good things demons many” has come to be discussed in new contexts of the SNS era. Cases where people are struck by unexpected troubles right after posting happy moments on Instagram or Twitter sometimes become topics of discussion. A modern interpretation has emerged: “happiness appeals invite misfortune.”
In the business world, it is also used when explaining the “growth trap” that startup companies face after rapid growth. It’s not uncommon for companies that succeed in fundraising and gain media attention to later fall into difficulties due to subsequent pressure or competitor entry.
On the other hand, from the perspective of modern psychology and positive thinking, critical views of this proverb also exist. It has been pointed out that it could negatively affect mental health by “preventing people from genuinely celebrating good things” and “instilling a psychology of fearing success.”
However, in modern times when the importance of risk management is emphasized, the teaching of not forgetting caution especially during smooth times still has value. Even in the investment world, there’s the maxim “hedge risks especially during bull markets,” and the spirit of “Good things demons many” continues to be inherited in different forms. Rather than leaning completely toward positive thinking, this proverb continues to hold significance in modern times as wisdom for maintaining balance. The teaching of not becoming completely biased toward positive thinking, but maintaining a sense of balance, means this proverb continues to have meaning today.
When AI Hears This
The human brain has a fascinating characteristic: it automatically switches to “alert mode” when we find ourselves in happy situations. In psychology, this is called “selective attention focusing.”
For example, when you get a romantic partner. Small behaviors from your partner that you normally wouldn’t notice suddenly start bothering you. “Their replies are slow,” “their smile seems a bit different” – you become sensitive to even trivial changes that you previously overlooked.
This is the brain’s survival strategy. When good things happen, we unconsciously develop anxiety about “how long will this good fortune last?” The brain then begins to prioritize searching for information that could potentially threaten that good fortune.
In actual research, many lottery winners report that “unpleasant things increased after winning.” However, from an objective standpoint, the frequency of troubles hasn’t changed. What changed was only the person’s “direction of attention.”
In other words, “good fortune invites trouble” doesn’t mean that trouble actually increases, but rather represents a phenomenon where the brains of people who have become happy enter “trouble-seeking mode.” Because they pick up on even small problems they would normally miss, the illusion arises that “bad things follow good things.”
Understanding this cognitive bias might help us maintain composure even during fortunate periods.
Lessons for Today
“Good things demons many” teaches modern people the importance of life’s sense of balance. It means that while genuinely celebrating success and happiness, it’s important to simultaneously maintain an attitude of humility and preparation.
In modern society, we tend to feel rushed seeing only others’ successes on social media, or to excessively appeal our own happiness. But this proverb reminds us that “life necessarily has waves.” If we’re in a difficult period now, we can hold hope that “good things will surely come,” and if things are going smoothly now, we can stay calm thinking “let’s be grateful for this situation while also preparing for what’s next.”
What’s important is not using this proverb as a “reason to fear good things,” but utilizing it as “wisdom for skillfully riding life’s waves.” Not forgetting gratitude to those around us when we succeed, and not losing hope when facing difficulties. If we can develop such mental composure, wouldn’t we be able to walk forward positively in any situation?
Comments