How to Read “The eldest son at fifteen is the height of prosperity in poverty”
Sōryō no jūgo wa binbō no yozakari
Meaning of “The eldest son at fifteen is the height of prosperity in poverty”
This proverb shows that when the eldest son turns fifteen, the family faces its toughest financial time.
During a family’s life cycle, there’s a period when children are still growing and most numerous. Yet none of them work or earn income.
This is the most economically difficult phase. When the eldest son reaches fifteen, younger siblings are still small. Everyone depends on their parents financially.
Food costs, clothing expenses, and education fees all pile up at once. Meanwhile, only the parents bring in money. This creates severe financial pressure.
People use this proverb to express how hard it is to raise children during this peak expense period. It also carries hope that things will improve once children grow up and start working.
Even today, this saying resonates when explaining the financial situation of families facing peak education costs.
Origin and Etymology
The exact first written appearance of this proverb is unclear. However, it likely comes from everyday wisdom passed down among common people since the Edo period.
“Sōryō” means the eldest son. In the Edo period family system, the eldest son typically inherited the household. “Yozakari” means “peak period” or “prime time.”
Here, it’s used ironically to mean “the peak of poverty” or “the poorest time.”
Why is the family poorest when the eldest son turns fifteen? Looking at typical family structures back then reveals the answer.
If the eldest son is fifteen, the parents are probably in their forties. Below him are second sons, third sons, and daughters. The family has the most children during this time.
These children are at their hungriest, growing fastest. Education costs money too. Yet none of them work independently, so only the father earns income.
Furthermore, the parents’ physical strength begins to decline at this age. Medical expenses start increasing too.
In other words, expenses reach their maximum while income remains limited. The household faces its most severe financial challenge.
This proverb accurately captures this reality. Many families related to it and passed it down through generations.
Usage Examples
- For us too, “The eldest son at fifteen is the height of prosperity in poverty” – when our eldest was in middle school was our toughest time financially
- While all three kids are students, it’s “The eldest son at fifteen is the height of prosperity in poverty,” so now is when we need to push through
Universal Wisdom
Behind this proverb lies a deep understanding of the universal difficulty of supporting a family. Humans have an instinctive mission to produce and raise offspring.
But this process always involves economic trials.
What’s interesting is that this proverb isn’t just a complaint. Rather, it contains a spirit of empathy and solidarity – “everyone goes through this.”
The specific observation that the toughest time comes when the eldest son turns fifteen has given many parents reassurance. It tells them “you’re not alone.”
It also shows hope that the difficult period has an end. It’s temporary, not permanent.
This proverb also represents wisdom passed across generations. When young couples start raising children, older people share these words.
This helps them mentally prepare for coming difficulties. Our ancestors calmly observed that life has waves. Hard times and easier times alternate.
Thinking deeper, this proverb contains the concept of “investment.” The hardest period of child-rearing is an investment period for the future.
Though expenses dominate now, eventually children become independent. The household budget becomes easier. Don’t give in to immediate hardship – maintain a long-term perspective.
This proverb quietly teaches us this important lesson.
When AI Hears This
Living things follow an interesting pattern. When the environment is harsh, organisms reproduce early and increase their numbers. When the environment is stable, they grow their own bodies carefully first, then invest in fewer offspring.
This is called life history theory.
The situation this proverb describes is exactly the human version of this theory. If parents have their first child at fifteen, they’re still growing themselves.
In modern terms, that’s ninth grade. Their own education and skill development are incomplete. Their earning power hasn’t fully developed.
Biologically, they’ve started “reproductive investment” before completing “self-growth investment.”
The key point here is that total resources are limited. Human time, energy, and money are all finite.
Young parents must divide resources between their own growth and child-rearing. Compared to people who become parents in their late twenties, their earning power at that point is overwhelmingly lower.
Even with the same effort, they obtain fewer resources.
Biologists call this the “trade-off between reproductive start age and lifetime reproductive success.” Reproduce early and generations turn over faster, but resource acquisition per generation decreases.
This proverb shows that poverty problems in human society can actually be explained by biological resource allocation equations. Part of economic inequality was this biological timing issue all along.
Lessons for Today
This proverb teaches modern people that life’s difficulties have “timing.” Just because now is hard doesn’t mean it lasts forever.
Especially regarding child-rearing and supporting family, it’s important to identify the toughest period. Then have the resolve to overcome it.
In modern society, factors pressuring household budgets have become more complex than before. Rising education costs and housing loans are examples.
But the basic structure hasn’t changed. The period when children are growing and need the most care remains the most economically difficult. This reality is the same today.
If we apply this wisdom, we can predict future household budget waves from a young age. We can prepare systematically.
Knowing the hardest period is coming lets you save beforehand. You can devise ways to reduce expenses.
Most importantly, this teaches understanding and empathy for people in difficult periods. It’s natural for child-rearing families to struggle economically.
Society as a whole needs to support them. If you experience that period yourself, it’s nothing to be ashamed of.
This proverb gently teaches us that everyone walks this path.
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