How to Read “先ず隗より始めよ”
Mazu kai yori hajimeyo
Meaning of “先ず隗より始めよ”
“First from Kai begin” means that in order to realize big goals or ideals, one should first start steadily from what is close at hand and within reach.
When making grand plans, we tend to wait for perfect conditions or ideal situations, but this is not the case – it teaches the importance of tackling what we can do now. This proverb expresses the idea that when starting a new business or reform, by first practicing with oneself and small things around us, it will eventually lead to great results. As for usage scenarios, it is used when starting organizational reforms or new initiatives, encouraging people to take realistic first steps rather than just pursuing ideals. Even today, when we want to change or improve something, it is understood as words expressing the importance of starting with what we can do first, rather than seeking perfection too much.
Origin and Etymology
This proverb originates from a historical tale from China’s Warring States period. When King Zhao of Yan consulted with a person named Guo Kai about recruiting wise men, Guo Kai answered, “Please start with ordinary people like me,” and this story gave birth to the saying.
In this anecdote recorded in the “Strategies of the Warring States,” when King Zhao wished to gather excellent talent, Guo Kai used himself as an example and told the story of “a king seeking a thousand-li horse who first bought the bones of a dead fine horse at a high price, whereupon living famous horses gathered one after another.” In other words, he explained the importance of starting steadily from what is close at hand and within reach in order to achieve big goals.
“Kai” is part of Guo Kai’s name, a word he used modestly to mean “someone like me.” This historical tale was transmitted to Japan and became established as a teaching of “starting from what is close at hand” and “beginning with what is at hand.” It can also be found in Edo period literature and is a proverb that has long been cherished as a behavioral guideline for Japanese people.
Usage Examples
- Regarding the company’s work style reform, with the spirit of “First from Kai begin,” I decided to start by reviewing overtime hours in my own team first
- If you want to solve regional environmental problems, with the spirit of “First from Kai begin,” let’s try starting with waste reduction in your own household first
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the meaning of this proverb has come to be understood more deeply. With only ideal success stories getting attention on SNS and media, many people tend to think “let’s start after perfect preparation is complete.” However, due to rapid technological changes, we have entered an era where waiting for perfection means missing opportunities.
The concept of “MVP (Minimum Viable Product)” in startup companies can be said to be the modern version of “First from Kai begin.” Rather than creating a perfect product before bringing it to market, this is a method of first releasing a product with minimum functionality to the world and improving it while observing user reactions.
Also, regarding personal skill development, the spread of online learning platforms has significantly lowered the hurdle of “just starting first.” Even for programming and language learning, starting with the smartphone or computer you have now is recommended rather than preparing a perfect environment.
In modern times, there is also the term “perfectionism trap,” and the value of this proverb is being re-recognized in the context of warning against the state of being unable to act due to pursuing ideals too much. Precisely because we live in an era of rapid change, the courage to start with small steps is important.
When AI Hears This
The strategy proposed by Guo Wei to King Zhao of Yan—”First elevate someone ordinary like me to demonstrate your commitment to attracting talent”—bears a striking resemblance to the “proof of concept” approach used by modern influencers.
When influencers introduce new diet methods or investment strategies, they invariably begin with “I actually tried this myself” testimonials. This isn’t merely sharing personal experience—it’s a sophisticated strategy to instill trust in followers, conveying “this person doesn’t just talk the talk, they actually walk the walk.” Guo Wei’s proposal operated on the same principle, transforming the abstract policy of “seeking wise advisors” into concrete, visible action by “first promoting me, who stands before you.”
In today’s social media landscape, engagement rates matter more than follower counts. The key metric has become “how many people can you actually influence?” Guo Wei employed the same logic, using himself as a “small success story” to generate much larger impact. When King Zhao implemented this strategy, top-tier talents of the era like Yue Yi and Zou Yan flocked to Yan one after another.
This structure embodies the fundamental principle of modern marketing: “small actions create big changes.” The essence of influencer culture was already perfected 2,300 years ago.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches us today is the importance of “the courage to act without waiting for perfection.” Haven’t you ever seen others’ success on SNS and felt “it’s still too early for me,” or postponed things saying “after I prepare more”?
But any great achievement started with the first small step. If you want to develop a new habit, start with 5 minutes instead of 30 minutes daily. If you want to start a side business, begin with small projects rather than a perfect business plan. If you want to improve human relationships, start with greetings rather than big discussions.
What is your “Kai”? It might be something very close at hand that you could start today. The first step toward your big dream might surprisingly be right at your feet. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Why not start with what you can do now? That small courage will surely create big changes eventually.
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