How to Read “Those who are extravagant are always poor in heart”
Ogoru mono wa kokoro tsune ni mazushi
Meaning of “Those who are extravagant are always poor in heart”
This proverb means that people who are used to luxury are never spiritually satisfied. They always feel like something is missing.
Even when they have material wealth, their hearts keep saying “I want more” and “This isn’t enough.” This endless craving actually makes their hearts poor.
You can use this saying when someone living in luxury keeps wanting more expensive things. It also applies when people complain about what they have instead of being grateful.
The proverb teaches us about the emptiness of chasing material wealth. It reminds us that spiritual fulfillment matters more.
In modern society, new products and services appear constantly. They keep stimulating our desire for “something better.”
But this proverb warns us that endless desire actually creates poverty of the heart. True richness isn’t about having many things.
It’s about being grateful for what you have now. It’s about feeling satisfied with your current situation. This proverb asks us to think deeply about what real wealth means.
Origin and Etymology
The exact source of this proverb is unclear. However, it likely grew from Japanese spiritual culture influenced by Buddhism and Confucianism.
The word “ogoru” means to be extravagant or to act above your station. The phrase “kokoro tsune ni mazushi” (always poor in heart) shows a deep insight.
It reveals that material wealth and spiritual fulfillment don’t always match. This wisdom is common throughout Eastern philosophy.
Buddhism teaches “shoyoku chisoku” – having few desires and knowing contentment. This teaching emphasizes being satisfied with what you have.
Confucianism also values simplicity and frugality as virtues. It warns against excessive luxury. This proverb emerged from these philosophical backgrounds.
It was passed down through generations as people’s lived experience.
The phrase “tsune ni” (always) is particularly interesting. It doesn’t describe temporary dissatisfaction.
Instead, it suggests that those accustomed to luxury are constantly in an unfulfilled state. The more luxury you have, the more you want.
As a result, your heart is never satisfied. You always feel something is missing. Our ancestors sharply understood this aspect of human psychology.
Usage Examples
- He owns several luxury cars, but he’s already saying he wants a new model. This is exactly “Those who are extravagant are always poor in heart”
- Collecting only brand-name items but still feeling empty might be what “Those who are extravagant are always poor in heart” means
Universal Wisdom
This proverb has been passed down because it perfectly captures the universal nature of human desire.
The human heart has a strange characteristic. We quickly get used to what we obtain and start taking it for granted.
The excitement of your first meal at a fancy restaurant fades when it becomes routine. A heart accustomed to luxury starts seeing once-special things as ordinary.
Then it begins seeking something even better.
This psychology is called the “hedonic treadmill.” Even when you satisfy a desire, that satisfaction is temporary. Soon a new desire appears.
Like running on a treadmill, the pursuit never ends. The more luxury you have, the higher your standards rise.
The bar for satisfaction keeps getting higher too.
As a result, no matter how materially blessed you are, your heart stays dominated by feelings of “not enough.” It remains controlled by a sense of lack.
Our ancestors saw through this trap of human psychology. True richness isn’t found outside but inside.
A heart that can be grateful for what it has now – that’s real wealth. This proverb continues teaching us across time about the importance of our mindset.
When AI Hears This
When someone acts extravagantly, the brain unconsciously calculates “how much will the other person appreciate this?” The dopamine system activates before receiving any reward, setting an expectation level.
For example, when you treat someone to an expensive meal, your brain predicts “they’ll surely be grateful” or “they’ll look at me with respect.”
But in reality, the other person’s reaction often falls short of predictions. This happens because humans quickly adapt to benefits they receive.
Also, people tend to express gratitude modestly. At this moment, the reward prediction error becomes negative.
A signal saying “they weren’t as pleased as I expected” runs through the brain. When this repeats, the dopamine system falls into chronic deficiency.
What’s more troublesome is trying to fill this dissatisfaction with even greater extravagance. The brain learns “if I spend more, I’ll get the expected reaction.”
But expectations rise at the same time, so satisfaction never comes. This closely resembles the neural mechanism of gambling addiction.
As a result, the extravagant person’s brain constantly sends “not enough” signals. Materially they’re giving, but neurologically they’re in a state of deficiency.
This is exactly what poverty of heart really is.
Lessons for Today
This proverb teaches us an important truth about the essence of happiness.
We tend to believe that getting better things will make us happy. But this proverb teaches that this very way of thinking creates poverty of heart.
What matters isn’t what you have. It’s your mindset – how you receive what you have now.
In modern society, we easily see others’ luxurious lives through social media. This environment makes us feel “I still don’t have enough.”
That’s why we need to consciously pause and look at what we have now. The tools you use daily, the place you live, the food you eat.
Try directing feelings of gratitude toward these things that seem ordinary.
You don’t need to reject luxury. But it’s important not to let luxury control your heart.
Enjoy material wealth while not depending on it. Find joy in simple things too. This flexible heart is what true richness of spirit means.
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