How to Read “憎まれっ子世にはばかる”
Nikumarekko yo ni habakaru
Meaning of “憎まれっ子世にはばかる”
“Hated child thrives in world” means that people with personalities that make them disliked by others tend to behave boldly in the world and live prosperously.
This proverb expresses the ironic reality of human society. It refers to the phenomenon where thick-skinned people who are assertive and sometimes cause trouble for others somehow manage to navigate the world better than humble and modest people who are generally well-liked. “Habakaru” is an archaic word meaning “to behave boldly” or “to wield influence,” so it certainly doesn’t describe reserved behavior.
This proverb is used as a somewhat resigned observation when encountering such people. When witnessing situations where serious and good-natured people are not rewarded while shameless people succeed, one might say, “This is truly ‘Hated child thrives in world.'” Even today, we often experience similar situations in workplaces and society, and it’s understood as an expression of the complexity of human relationships and the unreasonableness of the world.
Origin and Etymology
Regarding the origin of “Hated child thrives in world,” the exact source is not clear, but records show it was already being used as a proverb among common people during the Edo period.
Looking at the structure of this proverb, it consists of two elements: “hated child” and “thrives in world.” The archaic word “habakaru” is the key term, which has a completely different meaning from the modern Japanese sense of “to be reserved,” instead meaning “to behave boldly,” “to act presumptuously,” or “to wield influence.”
Within the townspeople culture of the Edo period, people observed various human relationships in their daily lives. They noticed the phenomenon where people who tended to be disliked were somehow actively thriving in the world, and this proverb is thought to have emerged as a verbal expression of this observation.
In the society of that time, while cooperation and humility were considered virtues, thick-skinned people who pushed their opinions through were often seen to succeed in reality. This expression was born from the common people’s keen observational eye capturing this ironic reality of human society. From the sound of the words themselves, one can sense the life wisdom tinged with a kind of resignation.
Usage Examples
- That department manager is hated by everyone but still gets promoted – “Hated child thrives in world” is really true
- The most selfish kid in class becoming class representative is a perfect example of “Hated child thrives in world”
Modern Interpretation
In contemporary society, “Hated child thrives in world” has gained new interpretations. In today’s SNS era, influencers who repeatedly cause controversies and celebrities who continue to attract attention despite criticism can be said to be modern versions of this proverb.
This phenomenon is also prominent in the business world. Within Japanese corporate culture that emphasizes cooperation, there are increasing cases where personnel who assert themselves without reading the atmosphere are valued in the wave of globalization. The shift from the traditional culture of “the nail that sticks out gets hammered down” to an era where “the nail that sticks out is sought after” has complicated the meaning of this proverb.
On the other hand, the definition of “hated child” has also changed in modern times. Not just thick-skinned people, but innovators who challenge existing values and those who speak inconvenient truths are sometimes treated as “hated children.” Business leaders like Steve Jobs, despite being disliked by many for their perfectionist and strict personalities, achieved world-changing results.
However, modern misunderstandings of this proverb have also emerged. The interpretation that “it’s fine to behave selfishly as long as you don’t mind being disliked” differs from the original meaning. This proverb is an observation of human society, not a behavioral guideline. Modern people need the wisdom to understand the irony and insight this phrase contains while distinguishing between constructive self-assertion and destructive selfishness.
When AI Hears This
Evolutionary psychology research identifies two types of human aggression: “dominance aggression” and “reactive aggression,” with the behavior of those who are widely disliked representing a classic example of the former. This dominance aggression evolved as a strategic behavior for acquiring resources and improving social status.
What’s fascinating is the existence of “Machiavellian intelligence,” revealed through primatologist Frans de Waal’s research. Even in chimpanzee communities, the most aggressive males who are disliked by other group members often end up securing leadership positions and gaining the most mating opportunities.
We see similar patterns in modern society. Research by organizational psychologist Amy Cuddy suggests that approximately 4% of CEOs exhibit psychopathic tendencies, significantly higher than the 1% found in the general population. While these individuals tend to have low empathy and are often disliked by those around them, their decisiveness and strong self-assertion help them rise to the top of organizations.
This “adaptive aggression” may damage relationships in the short term, but it provides competitive advantages over the long haul. Throughout evolutionary history, individuals willing to risk being disliked have often survived and thrived, which is why we continue to see the “the despised thrive in this world” phenomenon playing out today.
Lessons for Today
“Hated child thrives in world” teaches modern people the importance of accepting the complexity of human relationships. This proverb quietly teaches the reality that the world is not necessarily fair and that good people are not always rewarded.
However, this is by no means a word of resignation. Rather, it shows the importance of cultivating the ability to see the essence without being misled by superficial popularity or favorability. Sometimes the courage to stick to one’s beliefs without fearing criticism may also be necessary in life.
In modern society, we tend to be elated or dejected by the number of “likes” on social media or evaluations from those around us. But this proverb gives us a different perspective. While being loved by people is important, living without losing one’s true self is equally valuable.
What’s important is not aiming to become a “hated child,” but acquiring the strength not to be overly swayed by others’ evaluations. Have the courage to express what you believe is right in appropriate ways. Sometimes you may be misunderstood, but that too is part of life. True success might be finding the balance between living authentically while maintaining harmony with those around you.
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