How to Read “綸言汗の如し”
Ringen ase no gotoshi
Meaning of “綸言汗の如し”
“Imperial words like sweat” means that words spoken by people in high positions cannot be taken back once they are uttered.
This proverb expresses the weight of statements made by those in power or leadership positions. Just as sweat cannot return to the body once it has been released, words spoken by those in positions of responsibility cannot be retracted once they have been uttered. It is used in situations to warn politicians, business executives, educators, and others in positions that influence many people against making careless statements.
The reason for using this expression is to make a stronger impression by comparing the weight of responsibility in words to a physical phenomenon. Even today, with the spread of social media making it possible for ordinary people’s statements to be widely disseminated, the lesson of this proverb has become increasingly important. It is a universal teaching that those with status and influence need to think more carefully before speaking.
Origin and Etymology
“Imperial words like sweat” is a maxim derived from Chinese classics. “Ringen” (imperial words) refers to the words of the Son of Heaven or emperor. In ancient China, the emperor’s words were considered to have absolute authority, and once spoken, they could never be retracted.
The core of this expression lies in the part “like sweat.” Sweat that has emerged from the human body can never be returned to the body. Using this natural phenomenon as a metaphor, it expresses the meaning that the words of those in power, once spoken, cannot be taken back.
Particularly noteworthy is the concept of “sovereign dignity” in ancient Chinese political thought. The emperor’s words had absolute power, and casually changing them was considered to damage one’s prestige as a ruler. This proverb was born in such a strict political culture and has been used as a warning to rulers.
It was transmitted to Japan through Chinese classical texts and has been passed down as an important lesson mainly in samurai society and the academic world. Confucian scholars of the Edo period also quoted this proverb when discussing the mindset of leaders.
Interesting Facts
The character “rin” (綸) in “ringen” originally meant high-quality silk thread used in imperial edicts. In other words, it also implies that the emperor’s words are as precious and beautiful as the finest silk thread.
In ancient China, when an emperor needed to change an order once issued, he had to take the form of acknowledging his own fault as “the emperor’s lack of virtue,” showing how weighty a monarch’s words were considered.
Usage Examples
- The president’s statements are like Imperial words like sweat, so we must pay the utmost attention to every word at press conferences
- Politicians should have the mindset of Imperial words like sweat and speak their campaign promises with the resolve to definitely fulfill them
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the meaning of “Imperial words like sweat” has come to apply not only to traditional power holders but to a much broader range of people. With the spread of social media and the internet, we have entered an era where ordinary people’s statements can be instantly disseminated worldwide. Looking at social media controversies and social sanctions due to inappropriate posts, “influential statements” are no longer the exclusive domain of the privileged class.
Especially for modern “communicators” such as influencers, YouTubers, and corporate public relations staff, this proverb has become a pressing reality. A characteristic of the digital age is that records of statements remain semi-permanently and are stored in a searchable state, which makes the metaphor “like sweat” even more tangible.
On the other hand, modern times have also developed a culture of “correcting statements” and “apologizing,” making the classical interpretation of “absolutely irreversible” more flexible. However, it is still difficult to completely erase the impact and impression of the initial statement, and rather, the essential lesson of this proverb can be said to be gaining importance in modern times.
The spirit of this proverb is also utilized in corporate compliance training and speech guidance for politicians.
When AI Hears This
Ancient Chinese emperors’ words were said to be like sweat from the body—once released, they could never return. But in our modern social media age, this “digital sweat” has become far more troublesome. While physical sweat dries and disappears over time, words released into digital space persist semi-permanently.
Even if you delete a Twitter post, complete erasure becomes impossible once screenshots have spread. Archive services like the Wayback Machine preserve web pages for over 20 years. In other words, modern people’s “sweat” doesn’t evaporate—it crystallizes and gets preserved forever.
What’s even more serious is the “reproduction of sweat” by search algorithms. Once a statement goes viral for the wrong reasons, it resurfaces every time someone searches related keywords, repeatedly appearing before people’s eyes like sweat being secreted over and over again. Ancient emperors dealt with the consequences of a single utterance, but modern people’s verbal missteps get infinitely “re-sweated” by search engines.
This phenomenon has exponentially increased the weight of our words. What once might have been spoken before a limited audience now carries the potential for instant global distribution. In digital space, every modern person bears the same responsibility for their words as ancient emperors once did. “The ruler’s words are like sweat” is no longer just a warning for those in power—it has become an alert for all humanity carrying smartphones.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches modern people is the importance of “the courage to pause before words.” We speak countless words daily, but we tend to forget that each one carries responsibility. Especially in today’s digital age, it’s not uncommon for comments posted casually to cause unexpected ripples.
What’s important is to take a breath before speaking and ask, “What kind of impact will these words have on the other person?” and “Will I regret this later?” This is not about becoming timid, but about taking responsibility for one’s words.
This proverb also teaches us about “the weight of promises.” We tend to casually say “I’ll do it” or “I can do it,” but once spoken, promises are etched in the other person’s heart. That’s why it’s important to promise only what can truly be realized and to maintain an attitude of carefully keeping those promises.
Your words have more value and influence than you think. If you treat those words with care and weave them with a warm heart, you should surely be able to build wonderful human relationships.
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