How to Read “過ぎたるは猶及ばざるが如し”
Sugitaru wa nao oyobazaru ga gotoshi
Meaning of “過ぎたるは猶及ばざるが如し”
This proverb means “going too far is just as bad as not doing enough.”
In other words, it teaches us that in all things, “doing too much” is just as problematic as “not doing enough.” At first glance, trying too hard might seem like a good thing, but in reality, when you exceed the appropriate range, it can actually lead to bad results.
This proverb is used when someone becomes too enthusiastic and strays from their original purpose, or when something done with good intentions backfires. It’s used in situations where parents worry too much about their children and become overprotective, where people exercise too much for their health and injure their bodies, or where people become so absorbed in work that they lose time with their families.
Even today, this teaching holds very important meaning. For modern people who tend to fall into perfectionism, the idea that “moderation is best” serves as an important guideline for maintaining peace of mind.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of this proverb traces back to the words of Confucius in the ancient Chinese classic “The Analects,” specifically the phrase “過猶不及 (ka yuu fu kyuu).” This became the prototype for “Exceeding is still like not reaching.”
It’s recorded in the chapter called “Xian Jin” of “The Analects” as words Confucius spoke to his disciple Zigong. When Zigong asked about which of two disciples, Shi and Shang, was superior, Confucius replied, “Shi goes too far, Shang doesn’t go far enough,” and then continued with “過猶不及.”
This teaching is thought to have been transmitted to Japan along with the introduction of Buddhism and Confucianism, from the Nara period through the Heian period. Initially it was used in its original Chinese form, but over time it became established as Japanese.
It frequently appeared in moral instruction books during the Edo period and had a great influence on samurai education and the formation of common people’s moral values. It took deep root particularly because it perfectly matched Japan’s cultural foundation that values “the virtue of the middle way.” The reason it continues to be beloved today is that this universal wisdom transcends time and remains applicable.
Usage Examples
- I was running 10 kilometers every day for my health, but I injured my knee, and now I’m reflecting that “Exceeding is still like not reaching”
- I was checking my child’s studies every day out of concern, but they started to dislike it, and I keenly felt that “Exceeding is still like not reaching”
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the meaning of this proverb has become even more important. In our information society, we’re constantly in an environment where we’re asked for “more” and “further.”
On social media, people exhaust themselves by posting too much trying to portray a perfect life, or they damage their health with extreme dietary restrictions following health trends. In children’s education too, it’s not uncommon for children to burn out from being overloaded with too many extracurricular activities.
In terms of work style as well, there are cases where people work overtime trying to achieve results, only to actually decrease their efficiency or damage their relationships. Now that technological advancement has made it possible to work 24 hours a day, the importance of appropriate rest is being reconsidered.
On the other hand, there’s also the problem that the standards for “doing too much” have become ambiguous in modern times. In global competition, it’s become difficult to judge where “moderate” ends and “too much” begins. But this is precisely why the wisdom of this proverb shines. Rather than external standards, by examining our own physical and mental state and relationships with those around us, we can find what is truly “moderate.”
When AI Hears This
In modern optimization theory, the “optimal solution” always takes the shape of a mountain peak. In other words, at a certain point, conditions shift from “insufficient” to “just right,” and if you go further, it becomes “excessive.”
For example, in machine learning, if training time is too short, performance is poor; with moderate training, you achieve peak performance, but if training is too long, “overfitting” occurs and performance actually declines. When this phenomenon is expressed mathematically, it always forms an inverted U-shaped curve.
The economic “law of diminishing marginal utility” follows the same pattern. The first scoop of ice cream tastes absolutely delicious, but as you continue eating the 5th, then the 10th scoop, satisfaction decreases and eventually becomes painful.
Remarkably, this “existence of an optimal point” is a universal law of nature. Plant growth rates, drug effectiveness, exercise benefits—all show the same pattern.
“Excess is as bad as deficiency” represents a miraculous insight that put this mathematical truth into words 2,500 years ago. Confucius grasped through human observation alone the optimization principles that modern researchers prove through sophisticated calculations.
In other words, this proverb was not merely practical wisdom for living, but a scientific truth expressing a fundamental law of the universe.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches us today is “the importance of a sense of balance.” Precisely because we live in a modern society that tends to seek perfection, this ancient wisdom resonates freshly, doesn’t it?
You too probably sometimes try too hard in your daily life. You want to achieve results at work, make your family happy, improve yourself. Such positive feelings are wonderful. But sometimes, stop and ask yourself, “Is this within a reasonable range?”
What’s important is not perfect results, but sustainable effort. Even if you slack off a little today, if you can work hard again tomorrow, that’s enough. Maintaining relationships with those around you and your own physical and mental health while producing good results in the long term – that’s what true success means.
This proverb doesn’t tell you “work harder,” but gently says “you’re already working hard enough as you are.” Sometimes you need the courage to relax your shoulders and accept your moderate self.
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