How to Read “千慮の一失”
Senryo no isshitsu
Meaning of “千慮の一失”
“Thousand considerations one failure” means that no matter how wise a person is, even after thinking deeply, they may sometimes make errors in judgment or fail.
This expression represents a tolerant heart that accepts human imperfection. “Thousand considerations” refers to examining something so carefully that one thinks about it a thousand times, while “one failure” means a single failure that can occur despite this. In other words, it contains the understanding that even failure after sufficient consideration is natural for humans.
The situations where this proverb is used are when excellent people or those who usually make few mistakes fail, not to blame them but rather to show understanding. It’s also used as self-defense when one fails after careful consideration. Even today, it’s cherished as a phrase that teaches us, who tend to fall into perfectionism, the importance of accepting human-like failures.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of “Thousand considerations one failure” lies in words recorded in the “Biography of the Marquis of Huaiyin” in the ancient Chinese classic “Records of the Grand Historian.” In this text, it states “A wise person, even with a thousand considerations, will surely have one failure,” which was transmitted to Japan and became established as “Thousand considerations one failure.”
The background of this phrase’s creation lies in ancient Chinese thought. From that time, the idea that “no perfect human exists” was deeply rooted, reflecting a view of humanity that even the most excellent people will inevitably make mistakes. In Japan, this expression became known along with knowledge of Chinese classics around the Heian period, and by the Edo period, it was widely used among common people.
What’s interesting is that this phrase doesn’t simply refer to failure, but includes the premise of “even if one is wise.” In other words, rather than lamenting the failures of fools, it contains deep understanding and tolerance toward humans, recognizing that even knowledgeable people are not perfect. This philosophy aligns with Japan’s value that “all people are imperfect,” which is likely why it has been beloved for so long.
Interesting Facts
As a counterpart to “Thousand considerations one failure,” there’s the proverb “A fool’s one gain.” This means “even a foolish person sometimes comes up with good ideas,” expressing the breadth of human potential.
In ancient China, the number “thousand” was used to mean “very many,” not literally counting to a thousand. Similarly in Japan, many expressions using “thousand” exist, such as “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” and “Once in a thousand years,” due to this influence.
Usage Examples
- Even that excellent department manager can have Thousand considerations one failure, so this mistake is unavoidable
- For him, who’s always cautious, to make a wrong judgment is truly Thousand considerations one failure
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, “Thousand considerations one failure” has taken on new meaning. In the information age, through data analysis and AI utilization, we can examine far more information than before. Yet human judgment still has limits, and unexpected results can occur.
Particularly in the business world, even after conducting market research, listening to expert opinions, and thoroughly analyzing data, failures can occur due to consumer reactions or changes in economic conditions. This can truly be called a modern version of “Thousand considerations one failure.”
In today’s world where SNS has spread, a single slip of the tongue or judgment error can be instantly disseminated and harshly criticized. However, this proverb stands on the premise that “no human is perfect” and advocates tolerance for failure. Isn’t this a perspective that modern society particularly needs?
Also, while technological advancement has increased tools that support human judgment, it’s humans who make the final decisions. No matter how much information we gather, we cannot completely predict the future. In this uncertainty, what’s required of modern people is the courage to make decisions and the humility to accept failure.
When AI Hears This
Modern psychological research reveals fascinating data showing that perfectionists are actually more prone to major failures. According to Stanford University studies, students with strong perfectionist tendencies score approximately 15% lower on important exams compared to students who maintain a moderately “relaxed” approach.
This mirrors exactly the structure demonstrated in the saying about “one oversight among a thousand considerations.” The phenomenon where someone who has thought through something a thousand times ruins everything with a single oversight is now called “analysis paralysis” in modern terms. When you focus too intensely on details in pursuit of perfection, you lose sight of the big picture and miss the truly important points.
Particularly noteworthy is the “fail fast” philosophy championed in Silicon Valley’s startup culture. Google and Facebook deliberately adopt a strategy of “launching at 70% completion,” making incremental improvements through small failures. Meanwhile, companies that fall behind while pursuing perfection end up being eliminated from the market.
From a neuroscience perspective, perfectionism has been found to overactivate the prefrontal cortex while suppressing right-brain activity responsible for creativity. People caught in “thousand considerations” become too biased toward logical thinking, dulling their intuitive ability to detect danger. What the ancients warned against with “one oversight among a thousand considerations” was precisely this cognitive bias trap.
Lessons for Today
What “Thousand considerations one failure” teaches modern people is the danger of seeking perfection too much. There’s no need to be overly ashamed of your failures after seeing only others’ successes on social media. Even the most excellent people inevitably fail.
What’s important is not stopping action out of fear of failure, but having the courage to make decisions after thinking sufficiently. And when you fail, having the humility to accept it as nourishment for growth.
We also want to be tolerant of others’ failures. Precisely because perfectionism is rampant in modern times, isn’t warm understanding that “humans make mistakes” needed in both workplaces and homes?
This proverb doesn’t justify failure. Rather, it also teaches the importance of “thousand considerations” – thinking sufficiently. If it’s failure after doing your best, that’s not something to be ashamed of, but proof of being human.
Comments