How to Read “先んずれば人を制す”
Sakinzureba hito wo seisu
Meaning of “先んずれば人を制す”
“If you precede then you control people” means that by taking action before others, you can overwhelm your opponents and gain an advantageous position.
This is not simply a superficial meaning of “first come, first served.” It is a strategic teaching that by making the first move before your opponent begins to act, you can control the entire situation and seize the initiative. By creating a situation where your opponent has no choice but to be on the defensive, you can ultimately maintain your advantage.
This proverb is used in situations where competition is expected or in crucial moments when you don’t want to miss an opportunity. It’s employed in business market entry, romantic approaches, entrance exams, job hunting, and other situations where timing determines success or failure. It’s also used when you want to emphasize the importance of acting first or when you want to encourage someone who is hesitating.
Even in modern times, this teaching remains valid. Especially in our information society, quickly detecting new trends and opportunities and taking action is often the key to success.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of “If you precede then you control people” is believed to stem from words recorded in the “Records of Xiang Yu” section of the ancient Chinese text “Records of the Grand Historian” (Shiji). In this historical account, it was discussed as strategic theory during the rebellions that arose in various regions after the death of Qin Shi Huang.
The word “precede” (sakinnzuru) is an expression that has been used in Japan since ancient times, meaning “to act before others.” “Control” (seisu) means “to dominate, to gain the upper hand.” In other words, it’s a strategic teaching that by moving before your opponent, you can seize the initiative and gain an advantageous position.
This proverb was likely introduced to Japan around the Heian period along with the study of Chinese classical literature. It was particularly valued during the samurai era and was frequently quoted in strategic and political contexts. It appeared frequently in military strategy books and moral instruction texts during the Edo period, and also spread among merchants as a principle of business conduct.
During the Meiji Restoration, this phrase is said to have been beloved by many patriots as a spirit for pioneering a new era. It continues to be cherished to this day as words that explain the importance of taking the initiative in business and competitive society.
Interesting Facts
The verb “precede” (sakinnzuru) is an old word that is rarely used in modern times, but it actually remains in literary expressions as “sakinjite” (preceding) beyond just this proverb. Interestingly, this word evolved from meaning “to stand first” and also includes the positive nuance of “taking the lead.”
There’s a four-character idiom “senshu hissho” (first move wins) that has a similar meaning to this proverb, but this expression originated from the world of Go and shogi. It’s interesting that even though they both teach the importance of “moving first,” they have different origins.
Usage Examples
- In the new product planning meeting, let’s launch to market earlier than our competitors with the spirit of “If you precede then you control people”
- If you’re considering changing jobs, with “If you precede then you control people,” you should start preparing before good job openings appear
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, “If you precede then you control people” has taken on even greater importance than before. In our information age, the speed of information transmission has dramatically improved, and business opportunities and social changes spread around the world instantly. Because we live in an era where everything—SNS trends, the emergence of new technologies, market fluctuations—is shared in real time, the value of taking the initiative has increased.
Particularly in the field of startup companies and new services, the concept of “first-mover advantage” is highly valued. This can be said to be the modern version of “If you precede then you control people.” Many successful companies like Amazon’s e-commerce, Google’s search engine, and Facebook’s social network have pioneered markets as forerunners and overwhelmed later entrants.
On the other hand, in modern times, the risks of “moving first” have also become greater than before. Technology advances so rapidly that entering the market too early sometimes means the market isn’t ready yet. Also, with the spread of social media, failures are instantly disseminated, so caution is also required.
Nevertheless, the essence of this proverb remains unchanged. Rather, precisely because we live in an era of rapid change, the ability to identify opportunities and act quickly has become indispensable as a survival strategy for both individuals and companies.
When AI Hears This
In the digital age, timing your move to “get ahead” has become extraordinarily challenging. It’s commonplace to see tweets posted early in the morning to catch viral momentum get completely buried by major breaking news just hours later. In the investment world, people who jump into new cryptocurrencies or NFT projects “before anyone else” often end up suffering the biggest losses.
The core of this paradox lies in the “ultra-shortened shelf life of information.” Technologies and trends that once took years to gain traction now become obsolete within weeks. Just look at how ChatGPT went from launch to widespread adoption in a matter of months. Those who enter too early find markets too immature to monetize, while those who enter too late face competition too fierce to break through.
True “victory” is no longer about simple temporal advantage—it has evolved into “the insight to identify optimal timing.” Netflix launched its streaming service in 2007, which was neither too early nor too late, but perfectly timed. Modern first-mover advantage isn’t about “moving faster than everyone else”—it’s about “reading the moment of ripeness more accurately than anyone else.”
Lessons for Today
What “If you precede then you control people” teaches us today is that opportunities won’t come to you if you just wait for them. While you’re hesitating, someone else might already be taking action. But this doesn’t mean you should rush into reckless behavior.
What’s important is to never neglect preparation in daily life and maintain a state where you can move quickly when opportunities arise. Continue gathering information, polish your skills, and cherish connections with people. Only with such accumulation can you truly “precede.”
In modern society, we tend to delay action by seeking perfection. But we also need the courage to start moving when we’re 60% prepared. We can learn the remaining 40% while taking action. Rather than standing still out of fear of failure, taking even small steps forward will surely lead to greater results.
You too probably have something deep in your heart that you’d like to try. That timing might be now. Have the courage to precede and open new doors.
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