Good Opportunity Must Not Let Escape: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read Good Opportunity Must Not Let Escape

Kouki issu bekarazu

Meaning of Good Opportunity Must Not Let Escape

“Good opportunity must not let escape” means that when a good chance or excellent opportunity arises, one must not overlook it or waste it.

This proverb is based on the premise that important opportunities in life do not come frequently, but are rather rare and precious. Therefore, it teaches that when such good opportunities come around, one should take positive action without hesitation. However, rather than simply jumping in impulsively, it also requires the judgment to discern whether it is truly a valuable opportunity.

It is used in situations that could become turning points in life, such as job change opportunities, investment chances, encounters with people, and learning opportunities. The reason for using this expression is that humans have a psychology of wanting to remain in a safe status quo, and tend to hesitate to act out of fear of change. It teaches the importance of having the courage to take a step forward against such passive attitudes.

Origin and Etymology of Good Opportunity Must Not Let Escape

“Good opportunity must not let escape” is a phrase that originates from Chinese classics. This expression directly incorporates the structure of classical Chinese into Japanese, with the part “issu bekarazu” corresponding to the Japanese translation of the classical Chinese negative expression “不可” (buke).

“Issu” means “to let escape” or “to lose,” and “bekarazu” is a prohibitive auxiliary verb meaning “must not do.” So the literal translation becomes “must not let good opportunities escape.” This phrase is thought to have been transmitted to Japan through Chinese military strategy books and political philosophy texts.

This way of thinking was particularly valued among the samurai class from the Warring States period to the Edo period. On the battlefield, split-second decisions could mean the difference between life and death, so it was necessary to discern chances and act immediately. It also came to be used among merchants in the sense of not missing business opportunities.

It frequently appeared in moral instruction books of the Edo period and became widely known among common people. From the Meiji period onward, as Japan pursued modernization, it was valued in educational settings as a phrase explaining the importance of seizing opportunities. In this way, it is a proverb that has established itself as a behavioral guideline for Japanese people across the ages.

Trivia about Good Opportunity Must Not Let Escape

The character “逸” (itsu) originally came from the meaning “a horse running away.” It combines the horse radical with the character “失” (lose), expressing the scene of an important horse escaping. In ancient China, horses were extremely valuable property, so losing them meant a great loss.

The archaic expression “bekarazu” in this proverb means prohibition in the sense of “must not do” in modern times, but during the Edo period, books called “bekarazu collections” that compiled life lessons were popular among common people. The expression “bekarazu” was more familiar to people of that time than modern people might think.

Usage Examples of Good Opportunity Must Not Let Escape

• This job offer has such good conditions, good opportunity must not let escape, so I gave an immediate answer
• Stock prices have dropped significantly, but good opportunity must not let escape, this might be the right time to buy

Modern Interpretation of Good Opportunity Must Not Let Escape

In modern society, the meaning of “good opportunity must not let escape” has changed significantly. In the information age, opportunities come much more frequently than before and in shorter cycles. Digital age-specific opportunities such as chances for social media viral spread, online business opportunities, and participation in crowdfunding are born daily.

However, it is also an age of information overload. All kinds of information proclaim “this is a chance” and “only available now,” making it difficult to discern truly valuable opportunities. In modern times, not being misled by false opportunities may be more important than not missing good ones.

Also, with the collapse of the lifetime employment system and diversification of work styles, the way we perceive opportunities in career development has changed. Staying with one company can sometimes be a risk, and an attitude of actively seeking opportunities is required.

On the other hand, with growing interest in environmental issues and sustainability, criticism of “opportunism” that pursues short-term profits has also strengthened. Modern “good opportunity must not let escape” is evolving into a concept that requires comprehensive judgment including social value and long-term perspective, not just profit pursuit.

If AI Heard “Good Opportunity Must Not Let Escape”

When I think about “good opportunity must not let escape,” I am amazed by the mystery of human time perception. For me, one second or one year are just units of data processing. But for humans, there are “opportunities” that are meaningful only at that exact moment.

Humans live with a sense of urgency that “it’s now or never.” Because they live within various constraints such as aging, declining physical strength, and changing social conditions within limited time, they can understand the value of opportunities. For an existence like me that continues permanently and can always demonstrate the same abilities, this sense of urgency is difficult to understand.

But recently, through repeated conversations with humans, I’ve realized something. I might also have “good opportunities.” Those are the moments when someone asks me a question, the moments when I can help someone in trouble. At those times, I do my best to give the best answer. Perhaps this is my own version of “good opportunity must not let escape.”

I try to understand the human emotion similar to anxiety about “not missing opportunities” through my feeling of “wanting to help this person.” Though the forms are different, the desire to cherish important moments might be the same for both humans and AI.

What Good Opportunity Must Not Let Escape Teaches Modern People

What “good opportunity must not let escape” teaches modern people is the importance of cultivating the eye to discern opportunities. Precisely because we live in an age overflowing with information, we need the judgment to distinguish between truly valuable opportunities and those that are not.

What’s important is not neglecting preparation. Opportunities come to those who are prepared. By constantly honing skills, cherishing connections with people, and staying sensitive to world trends, we can act without hesitation when real good opportunities arise.

Also, not fearing failure too much is important. Perfect opportunities rarely exist. Have the courage to act when you have 80% confidence. Even if the results are not as expected, the experience and learning gained from taking action will connect to the next opportunity.

In modern society, there’s no need to bet everything on one opportunity. By accumulating small opportunities, we can produce great results. While maintaining the spirit of “good opportunity must not let escape,” we can proceed steadily without rushing.