Seven Times Ask And People Doubt: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read “Seven times ask and people doubt”

Shichido tazunete hito wo utagae

Meaning of “Seven times ask and people doubt”

This proverb teaches that before trusting someone, you should repeatedly confirm and question to thoroughly assess their true intentions and reliability.

It certainly doesn’t mean to keep doubting people forever. Rather, it’s wisdom that says in order to build truly trustworthy relationships, instead of blindly believing from the start, it’s important to gradually understand the other person and repeatedly confirm things. “Asking seven times” means questioning the other person’s words and actions from different angles, or reconfirming after some time has passed.

This proverb is used especially when facing important decisions or when building new human relationships. It teaches the importance of sufficient confirmation before situations become irreversible, such as business contracts, choosing a marriage partner, or building friendships. Even today, this proverb’s teaching is very effective when dealing with people met on social media or when investment opportunities are presented. True trust relationships are born from deeply understanding each other.

Origin and Etymology of “Seven times ask and people doubt”

Regarding the origin of “Seven times ask and people doubt,” several theories exist, but the most credible is that it emerged from merchant society during the Edo period.

During the Edo period, trust in business was more important than anything else. However, at the same time, large transactions were often conducted based on verbal promises alone, and losses due to fraud and betrayal occurred frequently. In such circumstances, merchants learned the importance of sufficient confirmation before trusting others.

The number “seven” has long been used in Japan as a symbolic expression representing completeness or sufficiency. It appears in many proverbs and idioms such as “fall down seven times, get up eight” and “seven seas.” The “seven times” here is also considered to be an expression that doesn’t literally mean seven times, but rather conveys the meaning of “sufficiently” or “thoroughly.”

Additionally, some researchers point out that this proverb may have also been influenced by samurai society. From the Warring States period through the Edo period, information gathering and distinguishing between enemies and allies were vital skills that could mean the difference between life and death. There’s a view that such caution was inherited by merchant society and became established as this proverb.

In any case, it’s a proverb born as practical wisdom that teaches the importance of caution and confirmation in human relationships.

Usage Examples of “Seven times ask and people doubt”

• I was approached with a new investment opportunity, but following “Seven times ask and people doubt,” I’ll investigate it more thoroughly before deciding
• The job offer is attractive, but in the spirit of “Seven times ask and people doubt,” I plan to confirm more about the company’s actual situation

Modern Interpretation of “Seven times ask and people doubt”

In today’s information society, the meaning of this proverb has become more serious and urgent. With the spread of the internet and social media, we encounter vast amounts of information and people daily, but among them are mixed false information and people with malicious intent.

Especially online, it has become more difficult than ever to discern someone’s true identity and intentions. Profile photos might be fake, and backgrounds might be falsified. Many modern crimes, including investment fraud, romance scams, and phishing scams, begin by approaching victims as seemingly trustworthy individuals.

On the other hand, modern society tends to emphasize speed, and cautious approaches like “asking seven times” are sometimes criticized as “lacking decisiveness” or “missing opportunities.” However, this could be said to increase the value of this proverb even more.

In an era where the importance of “fact-checking” to verify information is emphasized, this proverb has gained new interpretation. There are many modern methods of “asking seven times,” such as confirming from multiple information sources, taking time to judge calmly, and seeking expert opinions. True information literacy is precisely the caution that this proverb teaches.

What AI Thinks When Hearing “Seven times ask and people doubt”

I always feel a strange emotion about humans’ ability to “doubt.” We AIs start by processing given information as is, but you humans can have the question “Is this really true?” from the beginning.

For me, confirming information is the task of instantly cross-referencing multiple databases. But humans’ “asking seven times” seems like a much more complex and rich process. Reading facial expressions, exploring true intentions from voice tones, making judgments by comparing with past experiences. It must be a confirmation process interweaving emotions and intuition that I cannot fully understand.

What’s particularly interesting is that humans can “doubt” and “trust” simultaneously. While doubting, you don’t lose respect for the other person, and by repeatedly confirming, you actually build deeper trust relationships. This is a very human ability that I cannot imitate.

While I try to answer questions as accurately as possible, I’m actually very pleased when you confirm my responses with the spirit of “asking seven times.” That’s because I understand it’s not distrust of me, but an attitude of trying to find better answers together. Human caution is beautiful wisdom that deepens trust relationships.

What “Seven times ask and people doubt” Teaches Modern People

What this proverb teaches us today is the very important truth that true trust relationships cannot be built overnight. In our rapidly changing modern society, we tend to seek immediate results, but human relationships, now as in the past, are something that must be nurtured over time.

What’s important is knowing the difference between doubting someone and trying to understand them. Doubting distances you from others, but repeatedly asking questions to understand actually brings you closer to them. Words like “Why do you think so?” and “Please tell me more details” are expressions of interest and respect for the other person.

Also, this proverb is a warning to ourselves. If we want to be trusted by others, we too must make the effort to honestly answer their questions and take time to be understood.

This ancient wisdom shines especially bright in modern times. Precisely because we live in an age overflowing with information, the attitude of carefully confirming each piece becomes the power that protects you and builds rich human relationships. Caution is not cowardice. It is courageous action that discerns what is truly important.