How to Read “Luxury in the mouth, extravagance on the body”
Kuchi ni eiyō, mi ni ogori
Meaning of “Luxury in the mouth, extravagance on the body”
This proverb criticizes people who speak noble words but live extravagantly beyond their means. It points to those who preach moderation and simplicity while actually living flashy, luxurious lifestyles.
People use this saying when pointing out someone’s hypocrisy. It applies when words and actions don’t match.
The proverb especially targets those who recommend frugality to others while wasting money themselves. It also fits people who talk about simple living while enjoying expensive luxuries.
Even today, this wisdom applies to many situations. Think of someone posting about simple living on social media while buying only luxury goods. Or a boss demanding budget cuts from employees while spending lavishly.
This proverb teaches us two important lessons. First, we need sharp eyes to see people’s true nature. Second, we must match our own words with our actions.
Origin and Etymology
No clear historical records document the exact origin of this proverb. However, the structure of the words offers interesting insights.
The word “eiyō” originally comes from Buddhist terminology meaning prosperity and glory. People used it since the Heian period to describe splendor from power and wealth.
Meanwhile, “ogori” means extravagance or showy behavior beyond one’s proper station.
The Edo period’s strict class system likely influenced this proverb’s creation. Laws regulated everything from clothing to housing and food based on social rank.
Yet some merchants accumulated wealth exceeding even feudal lords. They appeared modest on the surface but lived luxuriously in private.
“Luxury in the mouth” means speaking noble words and preaching virtue and restraint. “Extravagance on the body” contrasts this with actual lavish living beyond one’s station.
This parallel structure sharply captures Japanese sensitivity to hypocrisy. Common people passed down this lesson as a warning against contradicting words with actions.
Usage Examples
- That politician claims to be honest and clean, but it’s “luxury in the mouth, extravagance on the body”—he apparently owns several luxury cars
- When I saw his lifestyle, it was pure “luxury in the mouth, extravagance on the body”—he preaches saving money but dines at expensive restaurants every night
Universal Wisdom
“Luxury in the mouth, extravagance on the body” sharply exposes a fundamental human contradiction. Why do people find it so difficult to match words with actions?
The answer lies in human duality. We all have two selves: our ideal self and our real self.
Our ideal self is noble, moral, and worthy of respect. But our real self is weak to desire, chooses easy paths, and seeks pleasure. Words come from our ideal self, while actions come from our real self.
An even deeper problem is that people rarely notice their own contradictions. Our ability to justify ourselves is remarkably strong.
We pile up excuses: “This situation is special” or “My case is different.” We easily see others’ contradictions but remain blind to our own.
This proverb has survived through generations because this human nature never changes across time. Rulers and common people, modern and ancient alike, have all struggled with the temptation of hypocrisy.
Speaking noble words is easy. Living them consistently is one of life’s greatest challenges. Our ancestors saw through this human weakness and left us this warning.
When AI Hears This
Luxurious living is thermodynamically an extremely unstable state. Imagine a perfectly organized room. This represents low entropy—a highly ordered state.
But maintaining this state requires constant energy input. The moment you stop cleaning, the room naturally becomes messy. This is the law of entropy increase.
“Luxury in the mouth, extravagance on the body” as a lifestyle means forcing this low-entropy state to continue. Gourmet food, expensive clothes, magnificent mansions—all are highly ordered consumer goods.
Acquiring and maintaining them requires enormous energy: money and effort. According to physicist Ilya Prigogine’s dissipative structure theory, systems maintaining order absorb large amounts of energy from outside.
Simultaneously, they discharge even larger amounts of disorder externally.
People living extravagantly collapse rapidly when their income stream stops. Debt, lost credibility, broken relationships follow. This isn’t simply the result of waste—it’s physical regression to high entropy.
Simple living is recommended because it stabilizes at a lower order level. It represents an equilibrium state maintainable with less energy. The laws of the universe teach that sustainability requires humility.
Lessons for Today
This proverb teaches us the importance of courage to view ourselves objectively. What words do you speak to others? Are you living according to those words?
Perfect consistency between words and actions may be difficult. But what matters is noticing your contradictions and trying to close the gap, even gradually.
If you tell others to save money, practice it yourself first. If you preach honesty, live honestly yourself. Even small steps accumulate to build a trustworthy person.
Modern society makes it easy to post noble words on social media. But true value lies in small daily actions. Words disappear like wind, but actions accumulate steadily and shape who you are.
Starting today, why not develop a habit of reviewing your words and actions? When you notice contradictions, correct them without shame.
That sincerity will make you a truly admirable person.
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