How to Read “名人は人を謗らず”
Meijin ha hito wo soshirazu
Meaning of “名人は人を謗らず”
“Master does not slander person” means that true masters and experts do not criticize or speak ill of others.
What this proverb expresses is that people who have reached a high level in their skills or knowledge show a more tolerant and humble attitude toward others. True masters, being confident in their abilities, do not feel the need to compete with or compare themselves to others. Rather, even when they notice someone’s immaturity or shortcomings, instead of criticizing them, they try to find that person’s good qualities.
The reason for using this expression is to represent the personal maturity of true masters. It shows that possessing not only technical excellence but also greatness of character as a human being is a condition of being a true “master.” Even today, in any field, those called first-class tend to provide strict yet warm guidance to their juniors and show respect toward their peers.
Origin and Etymology
Regarding the origin of “Master does not slander person,” it is difficult to find a clear first appearance in classical literature, and it is thought to have spread from the Edo period to the Meiji period.
Behind this proverb lies the tradition of Japanese craftsman culture and master-disciple relationships. In the craftsman society of the Edo period, acquiring skills required many years, and it took decades of training to become a true master. The masters who survived in such a harsh world had their character refined along with their skills.
The word “soshiru” (slander), while used today with the relatively mild meaning of “speaking ill of someone,” had more serious meanings in classical language such as “condemn,” “disparage,” and “criticize.” In other words, this proverb expresses not the superficial meaning of simply “not speaking ill,” but a deeper personal maturity of not lightly criticizing or looking down on others.
In the world of craftsmen, differences in skill level appear clearly. However, the truer the master, the more they could find and acknowledge each person’s individual worth without criticizing other craftsmen’s skills or character. This tolerance arose from their own experience of making many mistakes during long training and knowing firsthand that human growth takes time.
Usage Examples
- That teacher truly embodies “Master does not slander person” – they find good points in any student and praise them
- He’s first-class as a professional, but true to “Master does not slander person,” I’ve never once heard him speak ill of his rivals
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the value of this proverb may actually be increasing. With the spread of social media and the internet, criticizing others has become much easier than before, making the behavior of true masters stand out even more.
In our information society, anyone can act like an expert and easily criticize others’ work or statements. However, among such people, those with real ability tend not to criticize others lightly. Because they know the depth of their specialized field, they understand the danger of making judgments based only on superficial information.
In the business world too, true leaders and successful people do not publicly criticize subordinates or competitors. Rather, they try to acknowledge others’ good points and build constructive relationships. This is both a strategic judgment and wisdom about human relationships gained from years of experience.
On the other hand, in modern times, “not criticizing” is not necessarily always a virtue. There are cases where appropriate criticism and pointing out problems are necessary regarding social issues and injustices. The essence of this proverb may be teaching the importance of distinguishing between putting others down from personal emotions or feelings of superiority, and constructive criticism or pointing out problems.
When AI Hears This
The act of “slandering” actually functions as a “self-exposure device” that reveals one’s own limitations to others without the person even realizing it.
For example, suppose someone criticizes by saying “that painter’s work is terrible.” However, rather than focusing on the content of the criticism, listeners end up receiving information like “so this person’s aesthetic sense is only at this level” or “this person can only view art from such a shallow perspective.” In other words, while critics think they’re attacking others, they’re actually proving the smallness of their own capacity.
Psychological research shows that the content of criticism toward others reflects the critic’s own values and limitations. The arrow of criticism appears to be aimed at others, but it’s actually structured to bounce back at oneself.
True masters, on the other hand, show a different response. Even when encountering works they cannot understand, they think “perhaps there’s something I’m not yet able to comprehend.” This attitude itself demonstrates the greatness of a master’s capacity.
In other words, “not slandering” is not merely a virtue, but also a sophisticated self-defense strategy that protects one’s own intelligence and dignity. It’s the wisdom of masters—protecting oneself from the self-exposure that goes by the name of criticism.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches us today is that true growth includes not only improvement in skills and knowledge, but also personal maturity. In any field, the more skilled you become, the more you notice others’ immaturity. However, instead of criticizing them, having the composure to find each person’s individual worth is the mark of a true master.
In daily life, you may be bothered by the shortcomings of junior colleagues, family members, or friends. At such times, try remembering this proverb. Before speaking words of criticism, try focusing on the other person’s good aspects. By doing so, both you and those around you should be able to build better relationships.
Also, when you feel critical seeing others’ posts on social media, try pausing for a moment. People with real ability can offer constructive comments and warm words even in such situations. This is not hypocrisy, but a manifestation of greatness of character as a human being.
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