How to Read “Even a beggar has three reasons”
Kojiki ni mo mittsu no rikutsu
Meaning of “Even a beggar has three reasons”
This proverb means that everyone has their own arguments and reasons for what they do. It comes from observing human nature.
No matter their social status or position, people always have some logic or justification for their actions and thoughts.
The saying is mainly used in two situations. First, when someone makes an argument that seems illogical, you might say this to show understanding.
It means “well, they probably have their own way of thinking.” Second, it expresses a tolerant attitude that everyone’s opinion is worth hearing.
Today, people use it to acknowledge that others have their own logic and background. You don’t have to agree with them.
In debates or conflicts, it helps show some understanding without completely rejecting the other person’s position.
Origin and Etymology
The exact origin of this proverb is unclear. However, people were already using it during the Edo period among common folk.
Society had a strict class system back then. Beggars were positioned at the very bottom of the social hierarchy.
The expression likely came from observing that even such people always had reasons for their actions and thoughts.
The number “three” is commonly used in Japanese expressions. It doesn’t mean exactly three things.
Instead, it means “several” or “multiple.” This gives a nuance of “at least a few.”
You see the same usage in other sayings like “three years on a stone” or “third time’s the charm.”
What’s interesting is that this proverb isn’t just criticism. It actually shows deep understanding of human nature.
It contains a kind of egalitarian view. All people can think and have their own logic, regardless of social status.
Though born in a class-based society, it recognizes the fundamental dignity of all humans. This reveals the depth of Japanese common culture.
The proverb may sound critical on the surface. But it has been passed down as a phrase showing deep human understanding.
Usage Examples
- Even a beggar has three reasons, so let’s hear what that person has to say properly
- My subordinate’s proposal isn’t realistic, but even a beggar has three reasons, so I’ll listen first
Universal Wisdom
This proverb has been passed down for so long because it sees through fundamental human nature.
Everyone has a strong desire to justify their own actions and decisions. This has nothing to do with social status or education level.
It’s an instinctive part of being human.
Self-justification is also a psychological mechanism that protects human dignity. Even in difficult situations, people can maintain self-respect by thinking “I have my reasons.”
This helps them keep the strength to live. The proverb doesn’t criticize this aspect of human psychology. Instead, it acknowledges it.
Thinking deeper, this proverb hides an important lesson. To understand others, you need to think from their perspective.
An argument may seem unreasonable on the surface. But if you know the person’s background and experiences, you might see why they think that way.
Many conflicts and misunderstandings in human society come from not trying to understand the other person’s reasoning.
This proverb has been teaching us for hundreds of years. It shows the importance of humility in listening to anyone’s words.
It also teaches tolerance in accepting diverse values.
When AI Hears This
The human brain is a device that can create “explanatory models” for any data.
In information theory’s minimum description length principle, countless theories can exist to explain data.
For example, if you have three points, you can connect them with a straight line or a complex curve. Both work as “explanations.”
The essence of this proverb shows exactly the danger this principle reveals. Even claims with little basis, represented by the beggar image, can always come up with about three reasons.
This is because the human brain has an extremely high ability to create explanations after the fact. These explanations match their own actions and beliefs.
This has the same structure as overfitting in machine learning. When you create a complex model with few data points, it explains that data perfectly.
But it moves further from the truth.
What’s interesting is that the number of reasons is “three.” Cognitive science research shows that humans tend to believe a claim when it has about three pieces of evidence.
In other words, three is the “compression rate” needed to give minimum persuasiveness. One is too weak, five is redundant.
Three is the minimum unit where the brain feels “plausibility.”
Even wrong ideas look logical to the person who holds them. This proverb sharply points out this cognitive trap.
Lessons for Today
This proverb teaches modern people the importance of understanding and tolerance toward others.
On social media and the internet, we tend to immediately criticize or reject opinions different from our own. But let’s pause for a moment first.
The other person has their own reasoning. Behind it lie various experiences and values.
Opinion conflicts happen daily at work and at home. At such times, whether you can think “this person must have their own thoughts” determines whether constructive dialogue is possible.
You don’t need to fully accept the other person’s reasoning. But it’s important to have an attitude of listening first.
At the same time, this proverb serves as a warning to ourselves. We tend to see our own reasoning as absolute.
But it might also be just one of “three reasons.” By relativizing our own thoughts and maintaining flexibility to accept other perspectives, richer relationships and deeper understanding are born.
Diversity is valued in modern times. That’s exactly why the wisdom of this old proverb shines with fresh brilliance.
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