How to Read “Those who accomplish their work leave with the order of the four seasons”
Shiji no jo, kō wo nasu mono wa saru
Meaning of “Those who accomplish their work leave with the order of the four seasons”
This proverb teaches that just as the four seasons change in regular order, people who achieve great things should step down gracefully and make way for the next generation.
Spring, summer, fall, and winter each finish their role and give their place to the next season. In the same way, people should pass the baton to the next generation after completing their own mission.
This idea aligns with the natural order of things.
This proverb warns leaders and people in positions of authority not to cling to their success or status. Even those who have achieved remarkable things should not stay in their position forever.
Doing so prevents organizational renewal and takes away growth opportunities from younger people.
Even today, this spirit matters in situations like corporate leadership transitions or coaching changes in sports teams. The proverb shows that true success means letting go at the right time, not holding onto past achievements.
This represents a value that defines what a real successful person looks like.
Origin and Etymology
The exact source of this proverb is unclear, but the phrase “order of the four seasons” suggests influence from ancient Chinese philosophy.
“Four seasons” refers to spring, summer, fall, and winter. “Order” means sequence or proper arrangement.
In ancient China, people viewed natural cycles as models for ideal human society. The four seasons rotate in regular order.
When spring comes, winter leaves. When summer arrives, spring steps back. Each season gracefully makes way for the next after finishing its role.
People applied this natural principle to generational change and power transitions in human society.
The phrase “those who accomplish their work leave” deserves special attention. It doesn’t simply mean “retire.”
Instead, it teaches the virtue of stepping down at the right time without clinging to success or achievements. Taoist philosophy includes the idea that “achieving success and then withdrawing is the way of heaven.”
This proverb likely connects to that thinking.
After reaching Japan, people probably quoted this saying during family succession in samurai society and generational transitions in organizations.
The proverb contains deep insight that applies universal truth about natural cycles to human life.
Usage Examples
- As the founding president who grew the company, I believe it’s time to entrust management to the younger generation, following the wisdom that those who accomplish their work leave with the order of the four seasons
- The coach who led the team for many years announced his retirement. I think it was a wonderful decision that embodies those who accomplish their work leave with the order of the four seasons
Universal Wisdom
This proverb speaks to a universal truth about one of humanity’s most difficult challenges: the art of letting go.
When we achieve success, we feel driven to hold onto it forever. Attachment to position, fame, power, and what we’ve built is a natural human emotion.
However, nothing in nature lasts forever. Cherry blossoms in full bloom scatter. The harvest of autumn gives way to winter.
Yet spring returns again the following year. This cycle is the essence of life. Human society cannot escape this natural principle either.
What’s interesting is that this proverb doesn’t say “those who fail should leave.” It says “those who accomplish their work leave.”
This contains a paradoxical wisdom: precisely because you’ve succeeded, there’s value in stepping down at your peak. Rather than being pushed out after decline, you voluntarily make way while still strong.
This touches on human dignity at a deep level.
Our ancestors understood this truth. True greatness lies not in grasping success, but in having the courage to release it.
Those who can abandon attachment and trust the next generation enough to pass things on are the ones who have truly “accomplished their work.”
This is a fundamental truth about life.
When AI Hears This
When you view the seasonal cycle through thermodynamics, a remarkable structure emerges. Spring makes cherry blossoms bloom, summer nurtures life, and autumn brings harvest.
These are all activities that use energy to create “order.” But according to the second law of thermodynamics, everything left alone becomes disordered.
Coffee cools, rooms get messy, living things age. So why do the four seasons continue rotating in regular order for thousands of years?
The answer is “rotation system.” If spring stayed forever, that system would keep consuming enormous energy and eventually reach thermal equilibrium—a dead state where nothing changes.
But when spring leaves and summer takes over, the entire system resets. Each season maintains a low-entropy state—a highly organized state—for only a short time, then quickly exits after finishing its role.
This turnover is the key to making the whole cycle sustainable.
The same phenomenon appears in companies. Even when founders achieve success, organizations become rigid if they stay too long.
This is an increase in information entropy. Transition to new leadership brings fresh order to the system.
When those who accomplish their work leave, it’s not defeat but a necessity to protect the larger cycle.
Lessons for Today
This proverb teaches modern people that life requires “courage to step back” just as much as “courage to move forward.”
We tend to focus only on moving ahead and grasping success. But stepping down at the right time is an equally important life skill.
In modern society, we can apply this teaching in various situations. After achieving results as a project leader, let a junior colleague lead the next project.
As a parent who has protected and raised children, encourage independence as they grow and shift to a supportive role. If you’ve played a central role in a hobby group for years, entrust operations to the younger generation.
What matters is letting go of the belief that “only I can do this.” When you make way, those who follow might demonstrate abilities beyond your imagination.
And you yourself gain the freedom to pursue new roles and new challenges.
Leaving is not an ending but the beginning of a new cycle. Your graceful withdrawal becomes the greatest gift to the next generation.
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