How to Read “You cannot win against your lord or illness”
Shuu to yamai ni wa katarezu
Meaning of “You cannot win against your lord or illness”
“You cannot win against your lord or illness” means that humans cannot resist two forces: their lord’s commands and sickness.
A lord’s orders were absolute. Even if they went against your own wishes, you had to obey.
When illness strikes, your body won’t move as you want, no matter how strong your will is. You have no choice but to rest.
These two represent things that human will and effort alone cannot overcome.
This proverb teaches the importance of acceptance when facing situations beyond your control. Rather than fighting uselessly, sometimes you must simply accept reality.
Today, serving a lord is rare. But constraints we cannot change still exist—company policies, boss’s orders, or social rules.
And illness remains exactly the same challenge today. This proverb shows the practical wisdom of accepting what cannot be resisted.
Origin and Etymology
No clear written records explain this proverb’s origin. However, the structure of the phrase offers interesting insights.
“Lord” refers to one’s master. Before the Edo period, samurai pledged absolute loyalty to their lords. They had to follow all commands.
Disobeying a lord’s wishes meant risking your position and even your life.
“Illness” represents physical ailments beyond human control. No matter how strong your will, sickness prevents your body from functioning normally.
In times when medicine was undeveloped, illness reminded people of their powerlessness even more than today.
The expression “katarezu” (cannot win) is worth noting. It uses passive form to show how you succumb to these forces regardless of your will.
By pairing these two, the proverb shows that irresistible forces exist. Social power in “lord” and natural power in “illness.”
This contrast effectively expresses the harsh reality of human existence.
Usage Examples
- I got a high fever right before my important presentation—this is exactly what “You cannot win against your lord or illness” means
- I don’t agree with my boss’s policy, but “You cannot win against your lord or illness,” so I have no choice but to follow
Universal Wisdom
“You cannot win against your lord or illness” has been passed down through generations because it contains a universal truth about the limits of human free will.
We humans have a strong desire to control our own lives. We want to believe that effort can achieve anything, that willpower can overcome any difficulty.
But reality includes areas that remain beyond our control no matter what we do.
Social constraints and physical constraints—these two are fundamental conditions of human existence. We don’t live alone but within relationships with others.
Our minds inhabit physical bodies. Complete freedom from this double constraint is impossible as long as we remain human.
This proverb shows wisdom, not resignation. Instead of wasting energy trying to change the unchangeable, focus your power on what you can change.
Accept what cannot be resisted, then look for what you can do within those limits. This wisdom is the key to living a meaningful life with limited time.
Our ancestors learned from experience. Fighting uselessly only exhausts mind and body. Only through acceptance can you see the next step forward.
This deep understanding of human nature keeps this proverb alive across the ages.
When AI Hears This
The relationship between humans and pathogens is actually an endless arms race. This is called the “Red Queen hypothesis.”
It comes from the Queen in Through the Looking-Glass who said, “It takes all the running you can do to stay in the same place.”
Let’s look at specifics. When humans acquire immunity to a pathogen, mutant strains that evade that immunity survive. Then humans develop new immunity again.
This is why influenza vaccines must be updated every year. Pathogens reproduce far faster than humans.
E. coli produces a new generation every 20 minutes. While humans complete one generation, pathogens can evolve hundreds of thousands of generations.
What’s interesting is that this proverb says “cannot win.” It doesn’t say the lord wins or the illness wins.
In fact, if pathogens killed all hosts, they couldn’t survive either. And hosts cannot completely eliminate pathogens.
Some Africans have sickle cell genes that counter malaria parasites. But this gene also increases risks of other diseases.
Complete victory costs too much. Both sides keep evolving each other while eternally seeking an equilibrium point.
This dynamic balance is the essence of life. Ancient people understood this through experience.
Lessons for Today
This proverb teaches modern people that life contains things to accept and things to change.
Modern society overflows with messages saying “effort can achieve anything.” But this sometimes causes suffering.
We exhaust ourselves trying to change what cannot be changed.
Company policies, boss’s decisions, social rules—you may feel dissatisfied with these. But you cannot make everything go your way.
Similarly, poor health and illness cannot be overcome by willpower alone. Pushing yourself only makes things worse.
What matters is developing eyes to recognize what cannot be resisted. Then accept what must be accepted and look for what you can do within those limits.
Follow your boss’s policy while adding your own creative touches. When sick, rest honestly and focus on recovery.
This flexibility gives you strength to navigate a long life. Hard wood breaks in strong wind, but flexible bamboo bends without breaking.
You too should accept what cannot be resisted and find your own way to live within those limits.
That is the secret to living a rich life with limited time.
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