How to Read “Others are flowers of the moment”
Ta-nin wa to-ki no ha-na
Meaning of “Others are flowers of the moment”
“Others are flowers of the moment” means that other people’s success and glory are temporary. They will not last forever.
This proverb teaches us something important. Even when people around us seem successful and brilliant, that might only be true right now.
Human fortune changes easily. Someone who prospers today may not prosper tomorrow. Just like beautiful flowers scatter with time, success, status, and wealth are not permanent.
People use this expression in specific situations. It helps when you feel envious or jealous of others’ success. It also comforts you when your own situation feels difficult.
You might think, “That person shines now, but it’s just flowers of the moment.” This thought helps you keep peace of mind.
Even today, this wisdom helps. When you feel down seeing others’ glamorous lives on social media, remember these words. You’ll feel better.
This proverb contains wisdom for viewing the rise and fall of the world calmly.
Origin and Etymology
No clear written records explain the origin of “Others are flowers of the moment.” However, we can make interesting observations from how the words are structured.
Let’s focus on the expression “flowers of the moment.” Flowers bloom beautifully, but they stay that way only briefly.
Cherry blossoms in full bloom scatter in about a week. Morning glories bloom in the morning and wilt by noon.
The word “moment” here carries special meaning. It suggests “only at that time” or “temporary.”
This proverb compares others’ glory to flowers. This comparison expresses how fleeting that glory is.
Japan has long embraced the Buddhist concept of “shogyou mujou” (impermanence). This idea teaches that everything changes and nothing lasts forever. This philosophy deeply influenced people’s hearts.
Many scholars believe this proverb was born from that influence.
During the Edo period, the class system was strict. People often witnessed the rise and fall of samurai families and merchant houses.
A prosperous family today might collapse tomorrow. This proverb may have naturally emerged among common people to express this impermanence. They passed it down through generations.
Usage Examples
- Don’t worry that your colleague got promoted. Others are flowers of the moment, after all.
- That company is growing rapidly, but others are flowers of the moment. I’ll work hard at my own pace.
Universal Wisdom
The proverb “Others are flowers of the moment” contains deep insight into universal human emotions. Why do we care so much about others’ success?
Humans have an instinct to compare. When we measure our own value, we don’t use absolute standards. Instead, we judge by our relative position compared to those around us.
When your neighbor buys a new car, your car suddenly looks old. When a coworker gets promoted, you feel left behind.
This comparing mind might be a remnant of abilities humans needed to survive in ancient times.
However, this comparing mind also causes suffering. We become captivated by others’ brilliance. We lose sight of our own lives.
In the age of social media, this tendency has grown even stronger.
Our ancestors understood this human nature. They tried to convey an important truth through the beautiful metaphor of “flowers of the moment.”
Everything changes. Today’s successful person may not be successful tomorrow. So don’t compare yourself with others and swing between joy and sorrow. Walk your own path instead.
This wisdom will never fade as long as humans live together in society.
When AI Hears This
In quantum mechanics, an electron’s position spreads as a probability cloud until observed. The moment you measure it, it fixes to one location. The same thing happens with our evaluation of others.
For example, the same person creates completely different impressions. You see them differently when tired in the morning versus after something fun happens.
In other words, others’ charm and value don’t exist fixed inside them. They’re determined by our own state at the moment we observe them.
During romance, your partner seems perfect. After breaking up, you notice only their flaws. The partner didn’t change. Your consciousness state as the observer changed.
What’s more interesting is this. Like quantum superposition states, others simultaneously hold possibilities of being both “good person” and “bad person.”
Which appears depends on what expectations and preconceptions we bring to our observation. Confirmation bias research in psychology shows this too. People tend to gather only information that supports their predictions.
In other words, “Others are flowers of the moment” goes beyond its surface meaning. It’s not just that others’ value is temporary.
It reveals a deeper truth. The very existence of others is relative and depends on the observer.
Lessons for Today
This proverb teaches modern people how to live free from comparison with others.
Open social media and what happens? Someone’s success or happy moments flood your screen one after another. New jobs, wonderful partners, overseas trips.
Each time you see such posts, does your own life seem to fade? But remember this. All of those are “flowers of the moment.”
What matters is not envying others’ flowers. What matters is carefully cultivating your own garden.
You have your own season. You have your own flowers. They need no comparison with others’ flowers.
This proverb doesn’t teach resignation. Rather, it gives you courage to walk your own path without letting pointless comparisons steal your heart.
You can genuinely celebrate others’ success while not being shaken by it. Having that strength is the secret to keeping peace of mind in modern society.
Your life doesn’t exist for comparison with others’ lives. It exists for weaving your own story.
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