How to Read “能事足る”
Nouji taru
Meaning of “能事足る”
“Ability matter suffices” means having sufficiently completed the work or role that one should fulfill.
This proverb expresses having completely carried out given responsibilities or duties, reaching a satisfactory state where nothing more needs to be added. It is used not simply when work is finished, but when things have been accomplished at a level that is satisfactory both qualitatively and quantitatively.
It is used in situations accompanied by a sense of achievement from fulfilling one’s true calling, such as when research pursued for many years is completed, when a craftsman finishes a satisfying work, or when a teacher has properly raised their students. The reason for using this expression is that it contains satisfaction with results achieved through working with a sense of responsibility and pride, not mere completion. In modern times, it is understood as an expression that can be applied in business settings as well, such as completing projects or achieving long-term goals.
Origin and Etymology
“Ability matter suffices” is a proverb that originates from Chinese classics. “Ability matter” means “work that should be done” or “one’s original role,” and “suffices” expresses the meaning of “being sufficient” or “being fulfilled.”
This expression is thought to have originated from words used in Chinese literature that were transmitted to Japan and became established as a proverb. In ancient China, it was used when bureaucrats and scholars expressed having reached a certain level in their duties or scholarship.
In Japan, it began to be used among intellectuals with knowledge of Chinese literature from the Heian period onward, and gradually spread as a common expression. Particularly in Edo period literature, many examples can be found of this expression being used in the fields of learning and the arts.
Looking at the structure of the words “Ability matter suffices,” it takes a concise form combining the noun “ability matter” with the verb “suffices.” This conciseness was likely one of the reasons it was easily accepted as a Japanese proverb. Even today, it is sometimes used when expressing satisfaction or a sense of achievement from accomplishing something, but it is important to use it with a proper understanding of its original meaning.
Usage Examples
- Years of research have finally been published as a paper, and I feel that ability matter suffices
- Having finished passing on all the techniques I cultivated over 50 years as a craftsman to my apprentice, I have the feeling that ability matter suffices
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the concept of “Ability matter suffices” has come to have new meanings. In the information age, it has become difficult to see clear endpoints called “completion” in work and learning, and it has become difficult to obtain this classical sense of achievement in an environment where constant updates are required.
Due to the rapid development of technology, even when one skill is acquired, new technologies immediately emerge, requiring continuous learning. In such situations, rather than the traditional completed satisfaction of “Ability matter suffices,” a way of thinking that finds value in the process itself becomes important.
On the other hand, the spirit of “Ability matter suffices” is being reevaluated in the field of project management. The idea of setting clear goals and achievement criteria and making a break when they are met is necessary for maintaining mental stability amid endless improvement demands.
This concept also holds important meaning in modern work style reforms. For modern people who tend to fall into perfectionism, obtaining the satisfaction of having “sufficiently fulfilled one’s role” is being reconsidered as wisdom for preventing burnout syndrome and realizing sustainable ways of working. Precisely because we live in a digital age, the value of analog-like sense of achievement is being rerecognized.
When AI Hears This
The “self-purposing of technology” that modern specialists tend to fall into is precisely the essential danger that “being satisfied with one’s skills” warns against.
When programmers become obsessed with the beauty of their code and forget about usability, or when doctors fixate on the latest technology while neglecting dialogue with patients, these phenomena represent exactly the state of “being satisfied with one’s skills.” In other words, specialized techniques that should be means somehow get substituted as ends.
What’s fascinating is the similarity to the psychological phenomenon called “functional fixedness.” This refers to the psychological tendency to stick to familiar methods and drift away from actual problem-solving. For example, just as everything looks like a nail to someone holding a hammer, the more people master their expertise, the more likely they become to overlook problems that cannot be solved with that technique.
The true insight of “being satisfied with one’s skills” lies not in rejecting the acquisition of technology itself, but in pointing out the danger of forgetting the fundamental question: “What is technology for?”
In our current era, as AI replaces many specialized techniques, what humans need is “the judgment to master technology.” In other words, the wisdom to discern when to use that technology and when not to use it is what has become truly important.
Lessons for Today
What “Ability matter suffices” teaches modern people is the “courage to draw boundaries” that is precious precisely because we live in an age that seeks too much perfection. We live in a society where we are constantly demanded to improve and grow, but sometimes it is necessary to stop and acknowledge ourselves as having “accomplished enough.”
To apply this lesson to modern times, clear goal setting is first important. By deciding in advance what constitutes “suffices,” we can obtain satisfaction at appropriate timing without being swayed by infinite improvement demands.
We can also learn the attitude of valuing process. Evaluating not just results but the effort and growth leading up to them, and acknowledging ourselves as having “done well” by our own standards, leads to sustainable growth. The power to affirm ourselves for having made full effort, even if not perfect, generates vitality for what comes next.
In modern society, we tend to be surrounded by voices saying “more, more,” but the spirit of “Ability matter suffices” teaches us the wisdom to face our current selves and obtain appropriate satisfaction. This is not about losing ambition, but rather an important resting point for nurturing healthy self-affirmation.
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