How to Read “労多くして功少なし”
Rō ōkushite kō sukunashi
Meaning of “労多くして功少なし”
“Labor much and merit little” is a proverb that expresses the situation where, despite investing much labor and time, one cannot obtain results or effects commensurate with that effort.
This proverb succinctly expresses the reality that the quantity of effort and the quality of results do not necessarily correlate. It is used in situations such as when a project one worked hard on did not produce the expected results, or when work was carried out using inefficient methods.
The reason for using this expression is not simply to lament failure, but because it functions as material for reflection to find points for future improvement. In modern times, with the emphasis on work style reform and productivity improvement, the meaning of this proverb has come to be understood more deeply. It is frequently used in business settings as a phrase that suggests the importance of the direction and methodology of effort.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of “Labor much and merit little” is thought to have become established as a Japanese maxim influenced by Chinese classics. “Labor” (rō) means work or effort, and “merit” (kō) means results or achievements – these are Chinese words, and this contrastive expression is a structure commonly found in Chinese classical literature.
In Japan, this expression began appearing in documents from the Edo period and is said to have spread along with Confucian learning. It was used among the samurai and merchant classes of the time when discussing efficient ways of working.
What is interesting is that this phrase was used not as mere complaint, but rather with the meaning of admonishment. In the merchant way of the Edo period, there was the term “abacus calculation” (soroban kanjō), and obtaining results commensurate with the labor invested was emphasized. Therefore, “Labor much and merit little” functioned as a lesson encouraging reflection on inefficient ways of working.
From the Meiji period onward, as Western rationalistic thinking was introduced, this phrase gained even greater importance. In Japan’s modernization, achieving maximum effect with limited resources became a national issue, and awareness of efficiency increased at the individual level as well.
Interesting Facts
The character for “labor” (労) originally combined “fire” and “strength,” representing the scene of working at night holding torches. In ancient China, nighttime labor was considered particularly harsh, and perhaps the meaning was embedded that even with such effort, one might not be rewarded.
The character for “merit” (功) consists of “craft” and “strength,” meaning results achieved by combining technique and power. In other words, from the formation of the characters, this proverb expresses the contrast between “labor that required working even using fire” and “results obtained through technique and strength.”
Usage Examples
- We spent six months on the new system implementation, but in the end it was labor much and merit little
- His project seems likely to end up being labor much and merit little
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the situation of “Labor much and merit little” has become a more familiar problem than ever before. In the information age, while we can access vast amounts of information, we sometimes end up spending much time processing it. The image of modern people spending hours collecting information on social media or being caught up in organizing emails is exactly the situation this proverb indicates.
With the development of technology and the advancement of work automation and AI utilization, the value of human labor is also changing. The inefficiency of spending long hours on simple tasks has become clearer, and ways of working that utilize uniquely human abilities such as creativity and judgment are now required.
On the other hand, in modern times, with the emphasis on results-oriented approaches, there is also a tendency to undervalue the worth of processes and effort. However, this proverb originally does not deny effort, but teaches the importance of seeking better methods.
In the context of work style reform, it is frequently cited in discussions about reviewing long working hours and improving productivity. However, rather than pursuing only efficiency, it is necessary to consider comprehensive “merit” that includes the fulfillment and growth of workers.
When AI Hears This
“Much labor, little gain” may appear to be a proverb promoting efficiency, but it’s actually an ancient warning about a fundamental problem that modern productivity-obsessed society continues to overlook.
In today’s world, “output per hour,” “cost-effectiveness,” and “efficiency” are treated as absolute values, and anything that doesn’t produce immediate results gets dismissed as “wasteful.” However, the true meaning of this proverb lies in pointing out the danger of focusing solely on the “little gain” outcome.
Psychological research comparing intrinsic motivation (process-focused) with extrinsic motivation (result-focused) has proven that intrinsic motivation produces superior outcomes in creativity and sustainability over the long term. In other words, the experiences gained through “labor,” the lessons learned from failure, and the accumulation of trial and error become invisible but genuine treasures.
For instance, Steve Jobs’ study of calligraphy seemed like “little gain” at the time, but it later became the source of the Mac’s revolutionary design. Against the shortsighted thinking that modern people often fall into—”anything that doesn’t produce immediate results has no value”—this proverb contains a profound warning: “Don’t lose sight of the value in labor itself.”
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches us in modern times is the importance of reviewing the “quality” of our efforts. Working hard is wonderful, but if we get the direction or method wrong, even precious efforts may not be rewarded.
What’s important is to occasionally stop and reflect on our approach. Is what we’re doing now really connected to achieving our goals? Isn’t there a more efficient method? By asking ourselves such questions, we should be able to obtain more fulfilling results.
Also, this proverb is a phrase that can free us from perfectionism. By accepting that not all efforts will produce results as expected, we can challenge new things without fearing failure.
In modern society, working smartly is required. But that doesn’t mean cutting corners – it means pouring your precious time and energy into more valuable things. Please keep this proverb in your heart and live fulfilling days.
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