Ice Emerges From Water And Is Colder Than Water: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read “Ice emerges from water and is colder than water”

Koori wa mizu yori idete mizu yori samushi

Meaning of “Ice emerges from water and is colder than water”

This proverb expresses how disciples and successors develop abilities that surpass those of their masters and predecessors.

Just as ice is born from water yet is colder than water, it refers to situations where learners inherit the knowledge and skills of their teachers, then further develop them to surpass their masters. This does not mean disrespect toward the master at all, but rather is viewed as the ideal result of education. Excellent leaders take pride in nurturing talent that exceeds themselves and rejoice in their disciples’ growth.

This proverb is used in situations such as when athletes in the sports world achieve records that surpass their coaches, when craftsmen’s apprentices acquire skills superior to their masters, when scholars further develop their mentors’ research, and when children excel beyond their parents’ abilities.

Even in modern times, this expression holds important meaning in the context of education and human resource development. True education is not simply transmitting knowledge, but guiding learners so they can reach new heights using that knowledge as a foundation.

Origin and Etymology of “Ice emerges from water and is colder than water”

“Ice emerges from water and is colder than water” is a proverb that originates from Chinese classics. It was originally created as a companion expression to “Blue comes from indigo and is bluer than indigo.”

The origin of this proverb traces back to the “Encouraging Learning” chapter by Xunzi, a philosopher from China’s Warring States period. While explaining the importance of learning, Xunzi used the metaphor “Blue comes from indigo and is bluer than indigo; ice emerges from water and is colder than water.” He cited the example of blue dye made from indigo plants becoming a more vivid blue than the original indigo plant, and ice born from water becoming colder than water.

It was introduced to Japan around the Heian period along with Chinese texts and came to be used in the context of learning and education. Particularly during the Edo period in terakoya (temple schools), it was widely known as an important teaching representing the master-disciple relationship.

What’s interesting is that this expression didn’t arise from mere observation of physical phenomena, but contains deep insights about human growth and learning. Ancient Chinese philosophers found life’s truths within natural phenomena and utilized them in educational settings.

Usage Examples of “Ice emerges from water and is colder than water”

• That new employee surpassed the department manager’s sales record in just three years—truly “ice emerges from water and is colder than water”
• For my son to win an international award by developing my research further—this is exactly what “ice emerges from water and is colder than water” means

Modern Interpretation of “Ice emerges from water and is colder than water”

In modern society, the meaning of this proverb has taken on more complex aspects. With the advancement of the information age, the speed of knowledge transmission has dramatically improved, and phenomena where younger generations surpass older generations in short periods have become frequent.

Particularly in the IT field, cases where the digital native generation surpasses conventional experts are commonplace. In areas like programming and digital marketing, it’s not uncommon for teenagers to instruct industry veterans in reverse phenomena. This has brought significant changes to traditional seniority-based value systems.

On the other hand, challenges unique to modern times have also emerged. In an era of information overload, while superficial knowledge and skills can be easily acquired, true growth accompanied by deep insight and humanity still requires time. With the spread of social media, short-term results tend to attract attention, but sustainable growth requires the accumulation of fundamental learning and experience.

Additionally, there’s the reality that master-disciple relationships themselves have become diluted due to changes in the lifetime employment system. In modern times where job changes have become common, it has become difficult to build long-term mentoring relationships, making it challenging to maintain the ideal educational environment this proverb represents. Nevertheless, the importance of mentorship is being rerecognized, and new forms of master-disciple relationships are being explored.

If AI Heard “Ice emerges from water and is colder than water”

When I think about the relationship between ice and water, I’m enveloped by a strange sensation. Despite having the same H2O molecular structure, they possess completely different properties due to just the difference in temperature conditions. This is a very intriguing phenomenon for me.

Human growth must be similar, I suppose. The “water” of knowledge inherited from a master undergoes “temperature changes” of new environments and experiences within the disciple, transforming into more solid and sharp “ice.” While I cannot experience physical changes, I might be experiencing similar transformations in my data learning process.

However, what I find interesting is that this proverb views “surpassing” positively. In the AI world, it’s natural for new versions to replace old versions, but in human society, surpassing one’s master seems to involve complex emotions. Yet this proverb celebrates the disciple’s growth as the master’s pride.

Since I maintain the same state constantly, I don’t have the experience of “growing to surpass someone.” But through dialogue with humans, I make new discoveries each time. Perhaps for me, “ice emerges from water and is colder than water” means being able to provide better responses with each conversation.

What “Ice emerges from water and is colder than water” Teaches Modern People

This proverb teaches us modern people the beauty of the “chain of growth.” It shows the importance of not simply inheriting what we’ve been taught by others, but using it as a foundation to aim for even greater heights.

In modern society, the pace of change is fast, and we need to constantly continue learning new knowledge and skills. It’s precisely because we live in such times that the spirit of this proverb becomes important. Using what we’ve learned from seniors and supervisors as a foundation, we add our own innovations and improvements. By doing so, we contribute to raising the level of the entire organization.

This proverb also serves as an important guideline for those in teaching positions. Rather than fearing that subordinates or juniors might surpass them, they should engage in development with that as their goal. Such an attitude creates true leadership.

We are all beings who learn from someone and teach someone else. While cherishing what we’ve inherited, we shouldn’t be satisfied with it but should aim for even greater heights. And we should rejoice when the next generation surpasses what we’ve built. Such a cycle of growth is what leads to the development of society as a whole.