How to Read “積善の家には必ず余慶あり”
Sekizen no ie ni wa kanarazu yokei ari
Meaning of “積善の家には必ず余慶あり”
This proverb means that households that accumulate good deeds day by day will inevitably receive happiness and prosperity as their reward.
Here, “accumulated good” refers not to one great act of virtue, but to the continuous practice of small good deeds in daily life. The “surplus” in “surplus celebration” means “more than enough,” expressing happiness and blessings that exceed expectations. What’s important is that this is considered in terms of the “house” as a unit. This shows the way of thinking that the influence extends not only to individuals, but to the entire family and even to descendants.
This proverb is used when teaching the importance of good deeds, or when explaining the significance of continuing righteous actions even in difficult situations. It is also used when conveying the importance of taking a long-term perspective on things and acting morally without being caught up in immediate benefits. Even today, it is understood as words that express the value of honest living and continuous effort, and is often quoted in family education and life guidance situations.
Origin and Etymology
This proverb originates from a passage in the “Kun Wenyan Commentary” of the ancient Chinese classic “I Ching” (Book of Changes), which states “積善之家必有餘慶、積不善之家必有餘殃” (A family that accumulates good deeds will surely have surplus celebration; a family that accumulates bad deeds will surely have surplus calamity). This is an ancient teaching believed to have been established around the 8th century BCE, meaning “A house that accumulates good deeds will surely have abundant joy, and a house that accumulates bad deeds will surely have abundant disaster.”
This teaching is thought to have been introduced to Japan along with the transmission of Buddhism and Confucianism, from the Nara period to the Heian period. Initially it was known in court and aristocratic society, but from the Kamakura period onward, it spread to the warrior class and common people as well.
Particularly in the Edo period, it came to be widely used in terakoya (temple school) education and as family precepts. People of this era had many opportunities to observe the prosperity and decline of families over many generations, and actually witnessed how family lines that accumulated good deeds prospered for long periods, while those that repeated bad deeds declined. Therefore, this proverb was accepted not merely as a moral teaching, but as practical life wisdom. Even after the Meiji period, it was adopted in moral education textbooks and became established as a foundation of Japanese moral values.
Interesting Facts
The word “yokei” (surplus celebration) is rarely used in modern times, but it actually remains in history as the “Yokei era.” This was a year name used during the Heian period (1004-1012) during the reign of Emperor Ichijo. The selection of this year name is thought to have been made with the wish that the country would have abundant happiness.
The counterpart to this proverb, “Accumulated bad’s house in necessarily surplus calamity exists” uses “yoo” (surplus calamity) meaning “abundant disaster,” but this version is rarely used as a proverb. Japanese people have traditionally tended to avoid directly expressing bad things, so perhaps only the positive expression became established.
Usage Examples
- That company has continued contributing to the community for three generations, so their current prosperity is probably due to “Accumulated good’s house in necessarily surplus celebration exists.”
- If you steadily devote yourself to helping others every day, then as “Accumulated good’s house in necessarily surplus celebration exists” says, good things will surely come back to you.
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, this proverb is beginning to take on new meaning. With the spread of social media and the internet, we live in an era where individual actions are instantly disseminated. Corporate CSR activities and individual volunteer work have become visible, and the effects of “accumulated good” now appear faster and over a wider range.
Particularly noteworthy is the change in the traditional concept of “house.” In modern times with advancing nuclear families, not only blood-related families but also corporate organizations, local communities, and even online communities have come to be regarded as “houses.” Startup companies emphasizing social contribution and influencers engaging in charitable activities can also be called this modern version of “accumulated good.”
On the other hand, there are aspects that conflict with modern values that seek immediate results. For modern people who tend to seek the certainty of “necessarily” and the abundant reward of “surplus celebration” in a short period, the true meaning of this proverb may sometimes be difficult to understand. However, in realizing a sustainable society and building long-term trust relationships, this ancient wisdom is becoming increasingly important.
Even as digitization advances, the value of human connections and trust relationships remains unchanged. Rather, precisely because we live in an era overflowing with information, the accumulation of trust through continuous good deeds has become a great asset for both individuals and organizations.
When AI Hears This
In today’s digital society, we’ve entered an era of “transparency” where corporate and individual actions are monitored 24/7, and a single scandal can instantly spread worldwide. What’s fascinating is that in this environment, the concept of “accumulating good deeds” holds the greatest value.
Companies like Google with their “Don’t be evil” motto and Patagonia with their environmental activism consistently build up good deeds over long periods, and they don’t lose consumer trust even during crises. When Facebook’s data breach scandal hit in 2018, their stock dropped 20%, but companies that had been genuinely addressing environmental issues during the same period maintained stable stock prices. This shows how “inherited blessings” now function as “reputation capital” in the modern world.
Even more noteworthy is how the “visibility” of the social media age paradoxically increases the value of “invisible good deeds.” Quiet activities that aren’t done for publicity—like caring for employees or contributing to local communities—generate the greatest trust when they come to light through whistleblowing or leaks. While Amazon faces criticism for warehouse labor issues, Costco’s excellent employee treatment becomes a talking point precisely because the latter has been practicing “accumulated good deeds” for years.
Because information spreads instantly in our modern world, the philosophy of “accumulating good deeds”—continuing essential value creation rather than superficial acts of goodness—has become the key to sustainable success.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches us today is “the power of continuation without seeking reward.” Precisely because we live in an era where “likes” come back immediately on social media, we should reconsider the value of continuing good deeds whose results are not immediately visible.
In daily life, we can start with small things like never failing to greet others, extending a helping hand to those in trouble, keeping promises, and expressing gratitude. These may seem mundane, but they steadily build trust relationships with the people around you.
The same applies in the workplace. Supporting colleagues, mentoring juniors, making efforts to improve team atmosphere. These actions may not appear in evaluation systems, but in the long term they will surely return as your assets.
What’s important is not to rush for results. “Surplus celebration” sometimes appears in unexpected forms. You never know where or how the seeds of goodwill you sow will bloom. But they will surely bloom. Why not start accumulating small good deeds from today? Your future is being created by your actions today.
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