How to Read “虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず”
Koketsu ni irazunba koji wo ezu
Meaning of “虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず”
“If you do not enter tiger’s den, you will not obtain tiger cub” means that in order to obtain great results or valuable things, one must be prepared to face corresponding dangers and difficulties and take on the challenge.
This proverb teaches that nothing can be gained by staying in a safe place. Tiger cubs are symbols of extremely precious and valuable things, but to obtain them, one must enter the dangerous cave where the mother tiger lives. In other words, it expresses that one cannot expect great profits or success without taking risks.
It is used in situations where there is potential for failure but the challenge is worthwhile, such as taking on new business ventures, changing jobs, studying abroad, or making confessions of love. It is also used to encourage people who are hesitating. Even today, it is widely understood as a word expressing entrepreneurial spirit and the spirit of challenge, and is cherished as a proverb expressing the universal truth that success always involves risk.
Origin and Etymology
“If you do not enter tiger’s den, you will not obtain tiger cub” originates from a historical account recorded in the ancient Chinese text “Book of the Later Han.” The protagonist of this story is Ban Chao, a military general from the Later Han period.
Ban Chao was tasked with managing the Western Regions and was active in areas that correspond to present-day Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. At one point, he was trying to win over a small country called Shanshan to the Han side, but learned that envoys from the Xiongnu had also arrived with the same purpose.
The situation was extremely dangerous. The King of Shanshan was wavering between the Han and the Xiongnu, and Ban Chao’s position was becoming unstable. So Ban Chao said to his subordinates: “If you do not enter tiger’s den, you will not obtain tiger cub.” In other words, without entering the dangerous cave where tigers live, one cannot obtain precious tiger cubs.
After speaking these words, Ban Chao executed a bold strategy of launching a night attack to completely annihilate the Xiongnu envoy group. This success allowed him to win Shanshan over to the Han side.
Thus, this proverb was born from an actual historical event, and as a phrase expressing the will to achieve great results even at the risk of danger, it was transmitted to Japan and became established there.
Usage Examples
- The new project might fail, but if you do not enter tiger’s den, you will not obtain tiger cub
- Starting a business is worrying, but let’s work hard with the spirit of “if you do not enter tiger’s den, you will not obtain tiger cub”
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the meaning of “If you do not enter tiger’s den, you will not obtain tiger cub” takes on more complex aspects. This is because the nature of risk itself has changed in our information society.
Risks in the past were mainly physical dangers or economic losses, but in modern times, new forms of risk have emerged, such as information leaks, social media backlash, and the persistence of digital footprints. A single social media post can lead to unexpected consequences, and the very definition of “tiger’s den” has expanded.
On the other hand, technological advancement has also created environments where risks can be taken more safely than before. Systems that allow challenges with reduced initial investment, such as crowdfunding and online businesses, have increased. Additionally, society’s tolerance for failure has grown, and the value that “failure is the mother of success” has become widespread.
However, in modern times, this proverb is sometimes misused as “words that justify reckless challenges.” What originally meant calculated risk-taking is sometimes used as an excuse for simply unplanned actions.
The true meaning of “If you do not enter tiger’s den, you will not obtain tiger cub” in modern times should be considered in conjunction with risk management. It is now required to make wiser challenges by utilizing data analysis and simulation.
When AI Hears This
In modern society, “safety first” has become an absolute value. Companies build multiple layers of risk management systems, and individuals purchase insurance to prepare for the future. However, “Nothing ventured, nothing gained” contains dangerous thinking that directly contradicts this modern common sense.
What’s interesting is that today’s successful people actually behave exactly as this proverb suggests. Startup founders abandon stable corporate careers to launch businesses, and investors put money into new ventures knowing full well the risk of loss. In other words, there’s a contradiction where we publicly champion “safety first” while actual success comes from taking risks.
This opposing structure appears most clearly in educational settings. Schools teach “don’t do dangerous things” while simultaneously preaching that “a spirit of challenge is important.” Children become confused. Should they choose safety or take risks?
In reality, modern “safety first” culture may guarantee average happiness while simultaneously blocking the possibility of outstanding success. What this proverb asks us is a fundamental choice: what we truly seek is “safe mediocrity” or “dangerous possibility.”
Lessons for Today
What “If you do not enter tiger’s den, you will not obtain tiger cub” teaches modern people is that growth and success always require “the courage to step forward.” Staying in a safe place is certainly comfortable, but no new discoveries or growth emerge from there.
The true value of this proverb lies not in recommending reckless challenges, but in teaching us the importance of taking “calculated risks.” In modern society, where we have abundant means for gathering information and preparation, it’s important to act with courage after proper preparation.
Also, not fearing failure too much is an important lesson. Modern society is becoming more tolerant of failure, and the value of learning from failure is being recognized. Even if we cannot “obtain the tiger cub,” the experience of “entering the tiger’s den” itself becomes valuable treasure.
In your life too, there are surely opportunities for challenge that could be called “tiger’s dens.” It might be changing jobs, or it might be taking on a new hobby. Waiting for perfect preparation will cause you to miss opportunities. With appropriate preparation and courage, try taking that step forward. Beyond it, there’s surely a “tiger cub” waiting that you cannot even imagine now.
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