How to Read “A king has ten virtues, a god has nine virtues”
Ō wa jūzen kami wa kyūzen
Meaning of “A king has ten virtues, a god has nine virtues”
This proverb teaches a strict lesson about leadership. It says that those who rule over others must have even more virtue than the gods themselves.
Even though gods can only practice nine virtues, a king must strive for all ten. This means that the more power you have, the higher your moral standards should be.
People use this saying when talking about what makes a good leader. The higher your position, the more your actions affect others.
That’s why those in power must aim for perfect morality. They need to be better than ordinary people, even better than gods.
Today, this teaching still applies to politicians, business leaders, and anyone at the top of an organization. It reminds them that power comes with responsibility.
The proverb uses a striking contrast to express a universal truth. High position doesn’t mean special privileges. It means heavier duties and stricter standards.
Origin and Etymology
This proverb comes from Buddhist thought, especially teachings about ideal governance. The “ten virtues” refer to ten good actions in Buddhism.
These include not killing, not stealing, not committing adultery, not lying, not using flowery language, not speaking harshly, not being two-faced, not being greedy, not being angry, and not holding wrong views.
What’s interesting is that the proverb says even gods can only achieve nine virtues. Yet it demands that human kings achieve all ten. This seems contradictory at first.
But there’s deep meaning here. Gods are transcendent beings, so they can’t fully practice the concrete virtues of human society.
Kings, however, stand above people and directly affect their lives. That’s why they need even higher moral standards than gods.
This proverb reflects traditional Japanese political thought about the weight of power. The higher your position, the stricter your ethical standards should be.
This teaching was central to the education of Japanese rulers. It was influenced by both Confucianism and Buddhism.
Usage Examples
- Now that he’s become department head, I hope he leads his subordinates with the mindset of “A king has ten virtues, a god has nine virtues”
- If you want to become a politician, you should engrave the words “A king has ten virtues, a god has nine virtues” in your heart
Universal Wisdom
This proverb speaks to the essential relationship between power and responsibility. Why does corruption among the powerful keep happening throughout human history?
It’s not because power changes people. It’s because human morality can’t keep up with the enormous influence that power brings.
What’s fascinating is that this proverb sets an almost impossible standard: “better than gods.” This isn’t just idealistic talk.
Rather, it teaches the importance of those in power staying aware of their imperfections and remaining humble. The command to “achieve ten virtues” doesn’t mean become perfect.
It means keep striving for perfection. It’s about attitude, not achievement.
Humans instinctively judge those above them more harshly. This is a natural defense mechanism that protects society.
That’s why those with power must have the character to withstand that scrutiny. This proverb has been passed down for generations because our ancestors had deep insight into corruption.
Corruption is a universal human problem. The higher people rise, the more they tend to think they’re special.
But the truth is the opposite. The higher you rise, the more responsibility you have for other people’s lives. This proverb is a timeless warning not to forget that weight.
When AI Hears This
There’s a paradox: when leaders aim for perfection, the entire organization actually slows down. According to the Theory of Constraints, a system’s capacity is determined by its slowest part.
If a leader tries to make every decision perfectly, that leader becomes the bottleneck.
Imagine a factory where the quality inspector demands 100 percent accuracy and takes 10 minutes per item. The entire production line would stall.
But with 90 percent accuracy at 3 minutes per item, total output triples. Later stages can catch remaining errors. If a king pursues ten virtues, every matter waits for royal approval and the organization freezes.
Even more interesting: when leaders have gaps, subordinates develop autonomy. If a leader deliberately stays at nine virtues and remains “imperfect,” subordinates start moving on their own to fill that remaining virtue.
This is what complexity theory calls “emergence.” Perfect systems have no room for improvement. Evolution happens precisely because of imperfection.
Maybe gods staying at nine virtues isn’t about humility. It might be a strategic choice to optimize the entire system.
By letting go of perfection, overall organizational performance actually maximizes. Modern management science has proven this truth.
Lessons for Today
This proverb teaches you the essence of responsible positions. You’ll feel the weight of these words when you become class president, team leader at work, or a parent.
The key is seeing position and authority as “responsibility,” not “privilege.” Standing above others doesn’t mean gaining more freedom.
It means disciplining yourself for the sake of more people.
In modern society, everyone gets opportunities for small leadership roles. Project leader, club captain, family responsibilities. When that happens, don’t think “I’m special.”
Instead, think “higher standards are expected of me.”
This attitude helps you grow. By holding yourself to high standards, you naturally become someone others trust.
Most importantly, you develop a strong moral core that keeps you on the right path when you gain power. Position doesn’t make the person.
The effort to become worthy of your position makes the person.
Comments