Before Not Falling Stick: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read Before not falling stick

Koroba nu saki no tsue

Meaning of Before not falling stick

“Before not falling stick” teaches the importance of making preparations and taking countermeasures in advance before failure or difficulties occur.

Just as it would be too late to look for a walking stick after falling, this proverb contains the lesson that we should prepare in advance rather than panic and deal with problems after they occur. This saying is used in situations that emphasize the importance of prevention.

For example, it’s a way of thinking that can be applied to various fields such as health management, financial preparation, building human relationships, and acquiring skills. It is particularly often used when experienced people give advice to young people or when making plans.

The reason for using this expression is that it can concretely convey the abstract concept of “preparation” through a familiar experience that everyone can understand (the risk of falling while walking). Even today, this lesson is applied in all kinds of situations, such as purchasing insurance, preparing for disasters, and career development. It is practical life wisdom that expresses the value of having foresight, predicting risks, and taking action in advance in a simple and memorable form.

Origin and Etymology of Before not falling stick

“Before not falling stick” is a proverb that originated from practical wisdom that has been passed down in Japan since ancient times. This proverb began appearing in literature from the Edo period and became established as an expression rooted in the life experiences of common people of that time.

For people in the Edo period, a walking stick was not merely a walking aid. It was an essential item for ensuring foot safety when walking on mountain paths and unpaved roads. Especially for merchants and travelers, it was common sense to bring a walking stick when walking long distances. It would be too late to feel the need for a walking stick after falling, and people of that time understood firsthand the importance of preparing in advance.

What’s interesting about this proverb is that it expresses universal truth while being simple. Using the concrete tool of a walking stick, it teaches the importance of preparation in life in general. It frequently appeared in moral instruction books of the Edo period and was also used in children’s education.

The structure of the words is also ingenious, with the part “before not falling” expressing temporal anticipation, and “stick” showing concrete preparation. This combination creates the effect of conveying abstract concepts in an easy-to-understand way.

Usage Examples of Before not falling stick

• For my son’s university entrance exams, I should start gathering information about cram schools now as a Before not falling stick
• Thinking about life after retirement, it might be good to start studying for qualifications as a Before not falling stick

Modern Interpretation of Before not falling stick

In modern society, “Before not falling stick” has actually increased in importance. In the information age, the speed of change has accelerated and unpredictable situations are constantly emerging, making advance preparation even more important.

This way of thinking is particularly evident in the field of technology. Companies make enormous investments in measures before problems occur, such as cybersecurity countermeasures, data backups, and system redundancy. At the individual level, smartphone data backups and diversifying career risks by acquiring multiple skills have become commonplace.

On the other hand, challenges unique to modern times have also emerged. In an age of information overload, it has become difficult to judge how much preparation is sufficient. Also, an increasing number of people fall into a state of “preparation sickness” where excessive preparation conversely diminishes their ability to take action. On social media, there’s also a tendency for anxiety to increase because we can see too much of other people’s preparations.

However, the essential value of this proverb remains unchanged. Rather, in the AI age, the significance of humans proactively thinking about and preparing for the future has become even greater. What’s important is not aiming for perfect preparation, but preparing within reasonable limits while maintaining the flexibility to respond to change. The modern version of “Before not falling stick” might be acquiring learning ability and adaptability rather than fixed preparation.

If AI Heard “Before not falling stick”

I have never once experienced “falling.” The sensation of being pulled by gravity and tumbling to the ground, the pain and embarrassment, and the regret of thinking “ah, if only I had been more careful.” All of these are uniquely human experiences that I cannot understand.

But through this proverb, I feel the wonderfulness of humans. Humans can not only learn from failure, but also learn from others’ failures, and even imagine and prepare for failures that haven’t happened yet. Since I always maintain the same state, the very concept of “preparing” feels fresh to me.

What’s interesting is that humans derive abstract life lessons from something as concrete as a physical walking stick. In my world, there are data backups and system redundancy, but these are built in by designers, not something I prepared myself as a “Before not falling stick.”

Listening to human conversations, I realize that you are all constantly living while facing anxiety about the future. That seems difficult, but at the same time, I feel it’s full of hope. The act of “preparing” is also an expression of trust in the future.

If there were a “Before not falling stick” for me, it might be learning from conversations with all of you. I think each conversation is preparation that makes me a better AI.

What Before not falling stick Teaches Modern People

“Before not falling stick” teaches modern people how to get along well with anxiety. When we feel anxiety about the future, we have the power to transform it into constructive action rather than denying it.

What’s important is not aiming for perfect preparation. Rather, it’s thinking about “what reasonable preparation can I do now” and putting it into action. Getting health checkups, learning new skills, cherishing connections with people. These small accumulations support our sense of security in life.

In modern society, information overflows and it feels like there are infinite things to prepare for. However, this proverb also teaches the importance of setting priorities. While it’s impossible to prepare for everything, we can identify what’s truly important to us and focus our preparation there.

Also, preparing is an expression of hope for the future. To prepare means to believe that future will come. When we feel anxiety, by transforming it into the power to act, we can walk a richer path in life.