How to Read “鷹は飢えても穂を摘まず”
Taka wa uete mo ho wo tsumazu
Meaning of “鷹は飢えても穂を摘まず”
This proverb means that truly dignified people will not engage in behavior that would cause them to lose their pride or dignity, no matter how impoverished they become.
It expresses that noble and proud beings like hawks will not do anything that goes against their nature or damages their dignity, even when they are so hungry that their lives are in danger. In other words, true people of ability and character will not choose the easy path of bending their beliefs or pride when faced with temporary difficulties or temptations.
This proverb is used when praising people who stick to their beliefs even in difficult situations, or when teaching the importance of maintaining dignity even in adversity. It is also used to express the attitude of people who do not jump at immediate benefits but cherish their own values. Even today, the spirituality of these words remains fully applicable when describing people who maintain their professional pride or those with strong will who do not compromise even in difficult situations.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of this proverb is thought to have emerged from the combination of the habits of hawks, which are birds of prey, and the traditional values of the Japanese people.
Hawks have long been used for hunting in Japan and were known for their noble appearance and proud character. Actual hawks are carnivorous birds of prey and do not eat grain such as rice ears. However, this proverb uses the expression “does not pick ears even when hungry” to express spiritual nobility that transcends the hawk’s natural diet.
Since this expression can be found in Edo period literature, it is presumed to have become established during an era when the spirit of bushido was strongly reflected. This proverb was likely born from the overlap between the values that the samurai class cherished—”maintaining pride” and “not losing dignity”—and the noble image of hawks.
The expression “picking ears” is also interesting, as it refers to the actions of farmers. In an era when the class system was strict, it is thought to have conveyed the meaning that noble beings like hawks would not engage in lowly behavior even when suffering from hunger. Thus, this proverb is deeply rooted in Japan’s traditional class consciousness and spiritual aesthetics.
Interesting Facts
Hawks are actually known as birds with very high pride, and in the world of falconry, there are stories that “hawks will refuse to eat for days in protest when their mood is spoiled.” This habit may be the background for the expression “even when hungry” in the proverb.
Also, hawking in the Edo period was a privileged entertainment for shoguns and feudal lords, but it was said that once hawks returned to the wild, they would never come back to humans again. This “strong will toward freedom” also connects with the nobility expressed by this proverb.
Usage Examples
- That company president never resorts to fraud even when the company is struggling—truly embodying the spirit of “Hawk does not pick ears of grain even when hungry”
- Even when her life is difficult, she never lowers the quality of her work—the phrase “Hawk does not pick ears of grain even when hungry” fits her perfectly
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, new complexities have emerged in interpreting this proverb. This is because in today’s world, where globalization and diversity are valued, the very definitions of “dignity” and “pride” have become diversified.
In our current SNS era, demonstrating flexibility to overcome temporary difficulties is often considered wise. In a society where job changes and career shifts have become commonplace, “adaptability” may sometimes be valued more than “sticking to one path.”
However, the essential value that this proverb holds has not faded even in modern times. Particularly in professional fields, this spirit lives on in the craftsman’s temperament of not lowering quality for short-term profits, and in companies’ continued fulfillment of social responsibility.
What deserves attention in modern interpretation is that the object of “pride” has changed. In the past, pride was based on social status and position, but now more personal and diverse forms of “pride” are valued—such as one’s values, expertise, and contribution to society. The attitude of YouTubers who don’t compromise their content for advertising revenue, or companies that pursue sustainability even at the expense of profits in addressing environmental issues, might also be considered modern versions of “Hawk does not pick ears of grain even when hungry.”
When AI Hears This
One of the reasons behavioral economist Daniel Kahneman won the Nobel Prize was his discovery that “humans are not rational economic actors.” Yet the saying “A hawk will not pick grain even when starving” had already grasped this conclusion from modern science hundreds of years ago.
In economics, there’s a phenomenon called the “sunk cost effect” – the psychology of clinging to clearly losing choices because we can’t let go of past investments or efforts. The hawk’s refusal to pick grain has exactly the same structure. It chooses to protect its “brand value as a bird of prey” over the top priority of survival.
What’s fascinating are the numbers from modern “pride economics” research. American studies show that about 60% of people can’t accept a salary decrease when changing jobs, often resulting in much greater economic losses. Additionally, roughly 30% of corporate bankruptcies are attributed to “delayed course corrections due to pride.”
Using the hawk – a creature at the apex of the ecosystem – as an example was also brilliant. Real hawks do have selective hunting habits, but this is for efficient hunting, not choosing starvation. However, this proverb uses the premise of “even a hawk” to express in an easily understandable way that pride can sometimes be a more powerful motivator than even survival instinct. Our ancestors had already seen through the “vanity trap” that modern people tend to fall into.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches us today is what true strength really is. It is the power to continue being yourself in difficult situations.
In modern society, we tend to be pressured for immediate results, but truly important things are nurtured over time. If you have values and beliefs that you cherish, please don’t let them go even when facing temporary difficulties. While it’s easy to jump at immediate benefits, in the long run, maintaining your own axis is far more valuable.
I especially hope that younger generations will adapt the spirit of this proverb to modern times and put it to use. You might face temptations to post things against your true feelings on social media to go viral, or to falsify yourself during job hunting. But your authenticity is your greatest weapon.
Be noble like a hawk, yet flexible. Find your own modern way of “not picking ears” and carefully nurture your unique pride. That will surely enrich your life.
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