How to Read “A straight branch can be bent”
Naoki ni magareru eda
Meaning of “A straight branch can be bent”
This proverb means that just as a fine tree growing straight has bent branches, even the most excellent person has flaws or shortcomings. It shows an understanding of human nature: even people who seem perfect have weaknesses or lacking areas when you look closely.
This proverb is used in two main situations. First, as a reminder when you find someone’s faults and want to criticize them, that you yourself are not perfect either. Second, as words of comfort and encouragement for someone feeling down about their own shortcomings.
In modern society, we see only the brilliant sides of others on social media and other platforms. This creates the illusion that perfect people exist.
However, this proverb teaches us not to be fooled by such superficial appearances. It reminds us to look at the essence of human nature. Everyone has both strengths and weaknesses, and that is the natural and healthy state of being.
Origin and Etymology
The exact source of this proverb is unclear. However, based on its structure, it likely came from Japanese people’s long observation of trees in their surroundings.
“Naoki” is an old word meaning “straight.” When you look at forests or gardens, even fine trees with trunks growing straight toward the sky have some branches that are bent or twisted when you observe carefully. This proverb overlaps this natural principle with human nature.
Japan has long had a culture of learning life lessons from nature. Just as people find grace in falling cherry blossoms or sense strength in bamboo’s flexibility, trees have been subjects of many proverbs and poems. “A straight branch can be bent” is one piece of wisdom born from such nature observation.
The fact that even seemingly perfect trees have bent branches is obvious to anyone. Through this clear natural image, the proverb tries to convey the truth that humans cannot be perfect either. The Japanese sensitivity of learning from nature as a teacher likely gave birth to this proverb.
Usage Examples
- That senior is good at work but terrible with time. Well, a straight branch can be bent, so no one is perfect.
- I was only focusing on my shortcomings, but thinking that a straight branch can be bent and everyone has flaws makes me feel better.
Universal Wisdom
The universal truth that “A straight branch can be bent” speaks to is the eternal tension between human desire for perfection and the reality of imperfection.
Throughout history and across cultures, humans have aimed for perfection. We want to be perfect people, do perfect work, be perfect parents. Yet at the same time, everyone knows deep down that humans cannot be perfect. This contradiction has caused suffering.
This proverb has been passed down for so long because it offers one answer to this suffering. That answer is an attitude of acceptance: “Imperfection is not abnormal, it is natural.” Just as it is natural law for straight trees to have bent branches, it is human law for excellent people to have flaws.
What’s interesting is that this proverb doesn’t say “fix your flaws.” Rather, it tells us “acknowledge that flaws exist.” By accepting your own imperfection, you can accept others’ imperfection too. And by accepting others, you yourself become accepted. This mutual understanding has been the foundation that smooths human relationships and makes society function.
The loneliness that perfectionism creates versus the solidarity that accepting imperfection creates. This proverb quietly but surely conveys the wisdom of choosing the latter path.
When AI Hears This
Young branches bend easily because the wood fiber structure is still in the plastic deformation range. Plastic deformation is when something changes shape under force and doesn’t return to its original form. Mature branches, however, exceed their elastic limit, so they break when you try to bend them.
What’s interesting is that this boundary only moves in one direction over time. The same happens with metal. For example, if you bend an aluminum can repeatedly, it hardens and eventually cracks. This is called work hardening. In trees, flexibility is lost as a substance called lignin accumulates in cell walls. Lignin content is about 20 percent in young branches and over 30 percent in mature trunks.
The essence of this proverb captures the fact that changeability has physical time constraints. In neuroscience too, we know that brain plasticity decreases with age. Critical periods when synaptic connection patterns become fixed are around age 10 for language acquisition and around age 7 for perfect pitch.
In other words, both humans and trees are systems whose internal structures change irreversibly. Young branches bend easily not because they’re soft, but because they’re still in a special state before their structure becomes fixed.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches us living in modern times is how to have a healthy relationship with imperfection.
First, what matters is kindness toward yourself. When you feel anxious seeing others’ success on social media or feel down about your own shortcomings, remember this proverb. Even that person you admire has bent branches you cannot see. That’s not shameful. It’s simply natural for humans.
Next comes tolerance toward others. When you notice someone’s mistakes or flaws, pause before criticizing. If you focus on their strengths, their weaknesses might seem trivial. Rather than judging people by demanding perfection, building relationships where you acknowledge each other’s imperfections is the first step toward rich human connections.
Most importantly, see flaws as room for growth. Bent branches show that a tree is still growing. Your flaws are proof that you’re still developing. Don’t fear being imperfect. Move forward one step at a time. When you accept imperfection, you become truly free.
Comments