How to Read “後生畏るべし”
Kousei osoru beshi
Meaning of “後生畏るべし”
“Later life should be feared” means that even younger people or those who started learning later should not be underestimated, as we cannot know how excellent they may become in the future.
This phrase expresses the humble attitude that experienced and older people should have toward the younger generation. It shows that even those who currently appear inexperienced may eventually develop abilities that surpass their seniors through effort and time. It is used when leaders express their mindset toward disciples or subordinates, or when elders show respect for the younger generation.
The reason for using this expression is to convey the lesson that human potential for growth is immeasurable and should not be judged based solely on current circumstances. Even today, it is understood as a fundamental mindset for seniors when guiding juniors, and is considered an important concept in human resource development in educational settings and workplaces.
Origin and Etymology
“Later life should be feared” is a proverb that originates from the ancient Chinese classic “The Analects.” It is recorded as words that Confucius spoke to his disciples, with the original text written as “後生可畏.”
Behind the birth of these words lay Confucius’s deep insight into education. In the China of that time, elders and experienced people held absolute authority in society, but Confucius questioned such fixed notions. He highly valued the potential of “those who are born later,” meaning the younger generation, and believed that their future growth was unpredictable.
It was introduced to Japan along with Buddhism and Confucianism from the Nara to Heian periods, becoming widely known among the warrior class and intellectuals. Particularly in Edo period terakoya education, it was valued as words showing the humble attitude that masters should have toward their disciples.
The expression “should be feared” represents not mere fear, but respectful awe. This is a phrase that expresses deep educational philosophy, containing both expectations for the younger generation and self-admonishment.
Usage Examples
- When listening to new employees’ proposals, I’m reminded of the phrase “Later life should be feared”
- Listening to my son’s friends’ conversations, I felt that “Later life should be feared”
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, “Later life should be feared” has come to hold even greater significance than before. In our information society, it’s not uncommon for younger generations to far exceed their elders in adaptability to digital technology. Areas where traditional experience and knowledge alone cannot compete are rapidly expanding, such as mastering smartphones and social media, and the speed of learning new applications.
Particularly in technical fields like AI, programming, and video editing, it has become commonplace for teenagers to create works that rival those of adults. Young creators active on YouTube and university students starting businesses can be said to embody the phenomenon of “Later life should be feared.”
On the other hand, in modern times, the value of seniority-based systems has weakened, with a tendency to emphasize meritocracy. Therefore, rather than the aspect of this proverb about “elders respecting youth,” it is more often received as a universal message that “anyone has potential.”
Also, with changes in the lifetime employment system, job changes and side jobs have become common in modern times, increasing the number of people challenging new fields regardless of years of experience. In such situations, the possibility of “latecomers” overtaking pioneers regardless of age has increased, making the modern significance of this proverb clearer.
When AI Hears This
When Confucius spoke these words in his forties, he was already part of society’s leadership class. The average lifespan at that time was the late thirties. Being in one’s forties meant being a “great elder in life,” equivalent to someone in their seventies today.
However, in modern times, people in their forties are treated as “mid-career professionals in their prime.” They still receive guidance from superiors and are expected to acquire new skills. In other words, the social position of forty-somethings in Confucius’s era and today is completely reversed.
What makes this reversal phenomenon interesting is the change in attitude toward learning. In Confucius’s time, people in their forties were on the “teaching side,” holding the younger generation in awe and respect. But today’s forty-somethings are on the “learning side,” and it’s not uncommon for them to be taught digital technology by subordinates in their twenties.
For example, in IT companies, it’s routine to see managers in their fifties learning the latest programming languages from engineers in their twenties. This would have been unthinkable in Confucius’s time.
In essence, we now live in an era where everyone continues to be a “younger generation” regardless of age. This means that modern people need to maintain throughout their lives the sense of awe toward youth that Confucius felt in his forties. This can be said to be an extremely unique situation in human history.
Lessons for Today
“Later life should be feared” teaches modern people the importance of humility and trust in potential. When we gain experience and position, we tend to overestimate our own knowledge and abilities, but this proverb reminds us of the importance of always maintaining an attitude of continuous learning.
In modern society, the pace of change is fast, and it’s not uncommon for yesterday’s common sense to become today’s nonsense. In such times, having an attitude of learning from all people, regardless of age or experience, becomes the key to success. Making an effort to listen to new ideas from subordinates and juniors and understand the values of different generations also leads to one’s own growth.
Moreover, this proverb contains particularly important lessons for those in leadership positions. By not judging based solely on someone’s current abilities but believing in their potential and treating them accordingly, we can truly nurture excellent human resources. Believing in the infinite potential sleeping within each individual becomes the foundation for building rich human relationships and society.
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