How to Read “Ambition should not be satisfied”
Kokorozashi wa mitasu bekarazu
Meaning of “Ambition should not be satisfied”
This proverb teaches that you should not completely satisfy your ambitions or desires.
When everything is fulfilled, it may look like happiness. But actually, this state takes away your motivation and drive to improve.
Human desires have no limits. When one desire is satisfied, an even bigger desire is born.
Seeking complete satisfaction itself leads to endless suffering.
People use this proverb when they want to teach humility toward success and achievement. It also warns against being too greedy.
In modern times, it sounds an alarm against the attitude of constantly seeking “more and more.”
The proverb expresses a paradoxical truth. By leaving some space and room, you can actually achieve lasting growth and happiness.
Origin and Etymology
The exact source of this proverb has several theories. It is believed to be influenced by ancient Chinese philosophy, especially Taoist thought.
Laozi taught that “those who know contentment are wealthy.” He repeatedly emphasized the importance of controlling desires.
This idea also connects with the Buddhist teaching of “few desires and knowing contentment.”
In Japan, this way of thinking was valued in Edo period life lessons and merchant codes.
Merchants of that time learned from experience that pursuing excessive profit could destroy them.
Like the saying “eat until 80% full,” they taught the importance of always leaving room.
The word “kokorozashi” (ambition) has deep meaning. It includes not just desires, but also goals and ideals.
The negative form “mitasu bekarazu” (should not be satisfied) is a strong expression. It warns against complete fulfillment.
This is based on the insight that human desires have no limits. When one wish comes true, another wish is born.
To break this chain, you need to intentionally choose “not to satisfy.” This contains the wisdom of our ancestors.
Usage Examples
- I won’t be satisfied with this promotion. With the spirit of “Ambition should not be satisfied,” I’ll keep working toward my next goal
- The businessman who achieved great success says that “Ambition should not be satisfied.” He claims the secret to longevity is always moving forward with 70% satisfaction
Universal Wisdom
There’s something mysterious about human beings. We are more alive during the process of pursuing our wishes than at the moment they come true.
This proverb deeply understands this human nature.
A completely satisfied state actually makes people stagnant. When your stomach is full, you don’t want to move.
Similarly, when your heart is completely satisfied, you lose the power to move forward.
Our ancestors knew that humans shine brightest when they feel “not yet enough.”
There is an even deeper insight here. It’s about the nature of human desire.
When one wish comes true, another wish is always born. This is human destiny.
If you try to satisfy everything, it becomes an endless pursuit. You fall into the suffering of never being satisfied.
That’s why you intentionally choose “not to satisfy.” This is not giving up.
Rather, it’s a wise life strategy. By always keeping a little thirst, people can maintain humility and keep growing.
This teaching has been passed down through the ages. That’s because it touches the essence of human happiness.
When AI Hears This
Thermodynamics teaches the most cruel truth. A completely satisfied state is the same as a dead state.
Think of steam rising from a coffee cup. Hot coffee releases steam, emits aroma, and keeps changing while there’s a temperature difference with its surroundings.
But the moment it reaches room temperature—complete equilibrium—nothing happens anymore.
In physics, this is called maximum entropy state. It means the system is dead.
Life is no exception to this law. Our bodies constantly take in nutrients from outside, consume energy, and expel waste.
This unbalanced state is proof of being alive. If all chemical reactions in the body reached equilibrium, that would mean death.
In other words, life is a phenomenon that desperately maintains a state far from equilibrium.
Ambition has the same structure. When ambition is completely satisfied, the difference with the outside disappears and energy flow stops.
There’s no need to learn new things, no reason to make effort, no motivation to change.
Physicist Schrödinger expressed it as “life feeds on negative entropy.” Human growth is the same.
Because there’s an unsatisfied part—a temperature difference between present and ideal—we can keep moving, keep learning, and keep living.
Lessons for Today
Modern society keeps demanding “more” from you. Earn more, succeed more, be happier.
But this proverb shows a different path.
What matters is intentionally leaving space. When you achieve 80% of your work goal, stop once and have a preparation period for what’s next.
Don’t fill every schedule. Secure time for doing nothing.
Don’t buy everything on your wish list. Leave some items as “pleasures you haven’t obtained yet.”
This is not a passive way of living. Rather, it’s an active choice for sustainable happiness.
By always having a little room, you maintain flexibility. You can notice new opportunities.
Because you’re not completely satisfied, expectations for tomorrow are born. Color is added to your life.
There’s something you can start today. When you taste achievement, take a deep breath before jumping to the next goal.
Then ask yourself: “Do I really need to obtain everything?”
That question should bring new richness to your life.
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