How to Read “Running away is the best move”
Niguru ga ichi no te
Meaning of “Running away is the best move”
“Running away is the best move” means that when you face a dangerous situation, running away is the wisest choice. This doesn’t encourage cowardice at all.
Instead, it shows extremely practical judgment. It’s better to retreat temporarily and preserve future possibilities than to lose your life or suffer irreparable damage through reckless resistance.
People use this proverb when the opponent’s power is clearly overwhelming. It’s also used when there’s no chance of winning a fight, to caution someone trying to confront the situation anyway.
You can also use it to justify the choice of retreat when you find yourself in a difficult situation. Today, people understand it as wisdom that applies to many situations.
These include business withdrawal decisions and avoiding interpersonal conflicts. It’s a philosophy of positive retreat. Surviving leads to the next opportunity.
Origin and Etymology
No clear written records remain about the origin of this proverb. However, we can make interesting observations from the structure of the words.
“Niguru” is an old form of “nigeru” (to run away). “Ichi no te” means “the first strategy” or “the best method.”
In other words, among all the options available, it places “running away” at the top. The background of this expression likely reflects the influence of Japanese bushido and military strategy thought.
What’s particularly noteworthy is that it affirms running away, even in the samurai world that valued bravery. Military strategy books from the Warring States period introduced the Chinese military philosophy “Of the thirty-six strategies, running away is the best.”
This shows that such practical wisdom was accepted in Japan too. It contains extremely realistic judgment. It’s wiser to survive and plan a comeback than to lose your life in a reckless battle.
The expression “ichi no te” is also thought to be influenced by board games like shogi and go. The idea of choosing the best move shows that Japanese people have long incorporated strategic thinking into daily life.
This proverb conveys the wisdom of a shrewd survival strategy. It values practical benefits over appearances and saving face.
Usage Examples
- This deal is clearly disadvantageous, so running away is the best move and we should pull out early
- I learned that when someone is truly angry, running away is the best move
Universal Wisdom
The proverb “Running away is the best move” contains deep wisdom that humans have acquired to survive. It’s a clear answer to the eternal conflict of choosing between pride and survival.
Humans have a strong feeling that “running away is shameful.” This comes from our nature as social creatures who care about how the group evaluates us.
However, our ancestors realized something. They understood the cold, hard fact that if you lose your life protecting your reputation in the moment, everything ends.
This proverb has been passed down for so long because it teaches the importance of situational judgment. It addresses the “fight or flight” choice that humans instinctively face.
If you look at the animal world, running away from a stronger opponent is a natural survival strategy. However, humans sometimes lose their instinctive crisis avoidance ability precisely because they have reason and social nature.
This proverb reminds us that “surviving is the top priority.” Running away is not defeat. It’s a strategic choice to wait for the next opportunity.
This way of thinking becomes even more important in today’s rapidly changing society. Having the courage to retreat can sometimes be the bravest choice of all.
When AI Hears This
When you mathematically analyze the choice to run away, a surprising structure emerges. In game theory, a choice that’s best for you regardless of what action your opponent takes is called a “dominant strategy.”
For example, in a life-threatening situation, if your opponent attacks and you run, your survival probability is high. If your opponent waits and you run, you definitely enter a safe zone.
In other words, you don’t even need to predict your opponent’s move. Running away is always the correct answer.
What’s interesting is that this mathematical conclusion clashes violently with human social values. Many cultures have evaluation systems that award points for “fighting to the end.”
However, if you calmly calculate the gains, the expected value of survival from running away is overwhelmingly higher than the expected value of honor from fighting. This creates a uniquely human contradiction.
People add emotional value to choices that are clearly mathematically inferior.
Looking even deeper, this proverb also suggests the concept of “Nash equilibrium.” If everyone knew that “running away is best,” no one would attempt reckless battles, and society’s overall losses would be minimized.
In other words, individual rational judgment also benefits the entire group. When you strip away the cultural decoration of bravery, this proverb was speaking pure mathematical truth.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches modern people is the importance of “the courage to retreat.” We’ve been taught since childhood to “never give up until the end” and “don’t run away.”
Of course, that’s correct advice in many situations. However, it doesn’t apply to every situation.
In modern society, many people continue working at toxic companies until they break down physically and mentally. Others cling to clearly incompatible relationships or spend precious time on projects certain to fail.
In such times, this proverb gently encourages you, saying “it’s okay to run away.”
What’s important is that running away and giving up are different things. Strategic retreat is a preparation period for a better future.
By running away today, you create a chance to try again tomorrow. If you fight unnecessarily and fall, you’ll lose even that chance.
If you feel trapped in an impossible situation right now, remember these words. Running away is not shameful.
It’s a wise choice that protects you and protects your future possibilities.
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