How to Read “When three people walk together, there is always a teacher among them”
Sannin okonaeba kanarazu waga shi ari
Meaning of “When three people walk together, there is always a teacher among them”
This proverb means there is something to learn from everyone. When you’re with other people, you can always learn something valuable, whether they seem better or worse than you.
You can learn from people who are more skilled by studying their strengths. This helps you improve areas where you’re lacking. Even from people who seem less capable, you can learn important lessons.
By observing their mistakes or weaknesses, you realize what not to do. They become a negative example that helps you avoid the same errors.
People use this proverb to emphasize the importance of staying humble. It teaches us not to think “I already know enough.” Instead, we should always keep learning from those around us.
Today, this saying is used in workplaces and schools. It reminds us to learn from everyone, regardless of their age or position.
Origin and Etymology
This proverb comes from the ancient Chinese text “Analects of Confucius.” It’s known as words Confucius spoke to his disciples. The original Chinese text reads “三人行、必有我師焉.”
This phrase traveled to Japan and became established as “When three people walk together, there is always a teacher among them.”
The expression “three people walk” refers to a situation where three people act together, including yourself. In other words, it’s when two other people are with you. Confucius taught that in such situations, there is always someone who can be your teacher.
What’s interesting is that this doesn’t simply mean “learn from superior people.” In Confucian thought, you learn good qualities from people who do good things. You also learn from people who do bad things by using them as negative examples.
This dual approach to learning was highly valued.
In Japan, this proverb spread after the Edo period as Confucianism became popular. The “Analects” was considered essential knowledge for samurai. Through this, the saying gradually reached common people as well.
Combined with Japanese culture’s respect for humble learning, this proverb has been cherished up to modern times.
Usage Examples
- I learned an efficiency tip from the new employee. When three people walk together, there is always a teacher among them.
- A child’s honest question made me realize something important. This is exactly what “When three people walk together, there is always a teacher among them” means.
Universal Wisdom
The deepest truth this proverb reveals is that human growth never ends. No matter how much experience you gain or knowledge you acquire, there’s always more to learn. And the sources of that learning are surprisingly close to you.
Everyone sees the world through their own experiences and knowledge. But that’s only a tiny part of the whole world. Other people have completely different experiences and perspectives.
Younger people, less experienced people, people from different fields—each has their own unique viewpoint.
This proverb has been passed down for so long partly because it warns against human arrogance. When people succeed, they tend to overestimate their abilities. When they rise in status, they forget to learn from others.
But that’s when growth stops.
Truly wise people know their own ignorance. They maintain the humility to learn something from anyone. They understand there’s something to gain from everyone—inspiration from skilled people, self-reflection from inexperienced ones.
This attitude is what truly drives personal growth.
When AI Hears This
From an information theory perspective, thinking alone is surprisingly limited. When you solve problems using only your own knowledge and experience, the possible answers are actually quite restricted.
Measured by information entropy, individual thinking is a low-entropy state. This means it’s predictable with little new information.
But with three people, the situation transforms completely. In information theory, when you have multiple independent information sources, the possible combinations multiply exponentially. If one person has 100 information patterns, three people create 100×100×100, or one million combinations.
Human thinking is actually more complex, so this growth is even more dramatic.
The key point is that this information diversity is the source of learning. Different perspectives, unexpected ideas, unknown knowledge—these are all high-entropy information you couldn’t generate alone.
Shannon’s theory states that unpredictable information has the highest value. In other words, other people’s thoughts that defy your predictions are the most effective learning sources.
Confucius understood this mathematical truth intuitively without using formulas. The specific number “three” is perfectly chosen. It shows in an accessible way that multiple information sources create a combinatorial explosion.
Lessons for Today
This proverb teaches modern people that humility is the strongest weapon. In an age where everyone can broadcast on social media, we get caught up in asserting our own opinions.
But what truly matters is listening.
Each person around you has walked a different life path. The latest technology your younger colleague knows, the flexible thinking a child possesses, the lessons someone shares from their failures—all of these can fuel your growth.
The moment you think “I have nothing to learn from this person,” your growth stops.
Starting tomorrow, try being more aware. When a junior colleague speaks in a meeting, when a child asks a question, when you hear about someone’s failure, recognize the learning opportunity there.
At first, it might be small insights. But these accumulations will help you grow tremendously. People who keep learning stay youthful and full of possibilities.
The key to opening that door is your humble heart.
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