How to Read “恒産なくして恒心なし”
Kousan nakushite koushin nashi
Meaning of “恒産なくして恒心なし”
This proverb means that without stable property or income, it is difficult to maintain a righteous heart or moral judgment.
In other words, it expresses that economic instability disturbs people’s hearts and may lead them to engage in wrongdoing or evil acts they would never normally do. This is not blaming human weakness, but rather teaching the importance of having a solid foundation in life.
This proverb is mainly used when discussing wrongdoing or crimes caused by economic hardship. It is often used in situations showing sympathetic understanding, such as “That person too, without constant property without constant heart, must have been momentarily tempted.”
Even today, when we see news of people in financial difficulty turning to petty crimes, we sometimes feel the truth of these words. This is a profound insight expressing the realistic aspect of humanity – that while people ideally want to be moral, when faced with a survival crisis, it becomes difficult to maintain those ideals.
Origin and Etymology
This proverb originates from the Chinese classic “Mencius.” Mencius was a philosopher from the Warring States period who greatly contributed to the development of Confucianism. The original text states “無恒産而有恒心者、惟士為能” (Without constant property yet having constant heart, only scholars are capable), which was transmitted to Japan and became established as “Without constant property without constant heart.”
“Constant property” refers to fixed assets or stable sources of income, while “constant heart” refers to an unchanging heart – that is, a moral heart or correct judgment. Mencius taught that for ordinary people, without economic stability, it is difficult to maintain a moral heart.
What’s interesting is that Mencius added “惟士為能” (only scholars are capable) before this phrase. This means “only scholars who have accumulated learning can maintain moral character even without property,” distinguishing between ordinary people and intellectuals.
This teaching is not simply about “people do bad things when they have no money,” but was also a political message to rulers about the importance of the people’s economic foundation for overall social stability. In Japan, from the Edo period onward, it became widely familiar as merchant wisdom and common people’s teachings.
Usage Examples
- Looking at recent news of corporate misconduct, I’m reminded of the phrase “Without constant property without constant heart”
- His involvement in embezzlement was probably also a case of “Without constant property without constant heart,” succumbing to the pressure of supporting his family
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the meaning of this proverb has become more complex and multifaceted. This is because the collapse of the lifetime employment system and the increase in non-regular employment have made it difficult for many people to have “constant property.”
Particularly noteworthy is that the modern concept of “constant property” has expanded from mere assets to include a broader range of economic security, such as stable employment, social security, and future prospects. Even those working as regular employees often find it difficult to maintain “constant heart” due to anxiety about layoffs and distrust in the pension system.
On the other hand, individual values have also diversified in modern times, and the idea that economic stability alone does not necessarily bring peace of mind has spread. Among minimalists and freelancers, there are examples of people who prioritize spiritual fulfillment over material wealth and maintain “constant heart” even with modest incomes.
Additionally, the spread of social media has increased opportunities to compare with others’ lives, leading to the phenomenon where hearts become unstable even when there is objectively sufficient “constant property.” This can be said to be a new challenge that was not anticipated in Mencius’s time.
In modern times, this proverb has new meaning not only as individual mindset but also as a word suggesting the importance of correcting economic disparities throughout society and establishing a foundation where everyone can live with peace of mind.
When AI Hears This
Modern “stable assets” have fundamentally changed. Traditional tangible assets like land and buildings are no longer absolute foundations of stability. For example, during the COVID pandemic, many stores closed and real estate values plummeted. Meanwhile, people with programming skills and creators with online fans were able to maintain their income.
What’s interesting about this shift is that new stable assets are “difficult to visualize.” While you can measure the size of land, it’s hard to quantify the value of personal networks or the future potential of skills. As a result, modern people live in situations where their foundations of stability are hard to see.
Even more striking is the short “shelf life” of these new stable assets. Programming languages become obsolete within a few years, and social media followers can disappear overnight. In other words, maintaining stable assets now requires constant learning and updating.
As a result, modern people’s “stable hearts” have also transformed. Rather than traditional long-term moral perspectives, flexibility to adapt to change and mental strength to endure uncertainty have become more valued. Mencius’s assumed framework of “stable property → stable heart” has evolved into “ability to keep changing → heart that responds to change.” The conceptual change in stable assets is transforming the very structure of human psychology.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches us today is that stability of heart requires a foundation. This doesn’t necessarily need to be great wealth, but having a minimum living foundation and prospects for the future allows us to maintain our true selves.
What’s important might be finding our own “constant property.” This might be savings, stable human relationships, acquired skills, or a healthy body. In modern times, rather than depending on a single source of income, it has become important to have multiple “sources of security.”
This proverb also teaches us to deepen our understanding of others. When someone makes a wrong choice, by reflecting on the anxiety and hardship behind it, we can have feelings of empathy rather than criticism.
And for society as a whole, it shows the importance of creating an environment where everyone can have basic peace of mind. Not just individual effort, but having systems where we support each other is what creates a society where everyone can maintain “constant heart.”
Peace of mind is never a luxurious wish. It is a basic condition for living as a human being.
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