How to Read “多々益々弁ず”
Tata masumasu benzu
Meaning of “多々益々弁ず”
“Many many increasingly speak” means that the more things you have, the more convenient and beneficial it is.
This phrase is a proverb that expresses the benefits brought by abundance in quantity. It shows the idea that money and materials, as well as knowledge, experience, and personal connections, work advantageously in life the more you have of them. It is used to express the importance of having abundant inventory and funds in business, the value of knowledge accumulation in academics, and the importance of connections with many people in human relationships.
The reason for using this proverb is to preach the necessity of further improvement and accumulation against the human psychology that tends to be satisfied with “that’s enough.” Even today, it is used to convey the importance of continuous effort in situations such as skill development, qualification acquisition, and savings.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of “Many many increasingly speak” can be traced back to the Chinese classic “I Ching” (Book of Changes). This phrase is thought to have developed from the Chinese idiom “duoduo yishan” (the more the better).
There is a famous anecdote recorded in the “Records of the Grand Historian.” When Liu Bang, the founding emperor of the Han dynasty, asked the famous general Han Xin, “How many tens of thousands of soldiers can you command?” Han Xin replied, “Duoduo yishan (the more the better).” This “duoduo yishan” is thought to have been transmitted to Japan and changed into the form “Many many increasingly speak.”
The word “benzu” differs from the modern “benzuru” (to handle, to deal with). In classical Japanese, it meant “to be useful, to be beneficial, to be convenient.” Therefore, “Many many increasingly speak” means “the more there are, the more convenient and beneficial it is.”
This expression can also be found in Edo period literature and seems to have been commonly used among merchants. As a phrase expressing the value of having large quantities of things, people, knowledge, and everything else, it became deeply rooted in Japanese culture. The “longing for abundance” that this phrase carries continues to resonate in people’s hearts across the ages.
Interesting Facts
The classical word “benzu” had a completely different meaning from the modern “ben” in “defend” or “excuse.” The classical “benzu” meant “convenient, beneficial,” and if translated into modern language, expressions like “useful” or “profitable” would be appropriate.
The “々” symbol in this proverb is called an “iteration mark” and represents the repetition of the same kanji. The expressions “tata” and “masumasu” have the effect of creating a stronger impression.
Usage Examples
- Since qualifications follow the principle of “Many many increasingly speak,” I think I’ll try taking the English proficiency test next
- Money is “Many many increasingly speak” – you never have problems no matter how much you have
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, many people probably have complex feelings about the concept of “Many many increasingly speak.” In our information society, knowledge and skills are indeed more advantageous the more you have. Learning multiple programming languages or acquiring numerous qualifications expands career options.
However, at the same time, values that emphasize “quality over quantity” have also become stronger. More people are prioritizing deep connections with a small number of relationships rather than the number of SNS followers or friends. There’s also a trend toward seeking mental richness and work-life balance rather than material wealth.
What’s interesting is the new interpretation of “Many many increasingly speak” in the digital age. Data is certainly more valuable the more you have, and in AI learning, large amounts of data lead to improved accuracy. Cloud storage capacity and network bandwidth are also better when abundant.
On the other hand, the harmful effects of information overload have also been pointed out. There are phenomena like the “paradox of choice,” where too many options make decision-making impossible, and being overwhelmed by information. In modern times, rather than blindly believing in “Many many increasingly speak,” we may need the wisdom to discern what we should have more of.
When AI Hears This
“Tata masumasu benzu” is a remarkable proverb that predicted modern network effect theory centuries before it was formally recognized.
Network effects describe the phenomenon where “a service becomes more valuable as more people use it,” which perfectly captures the ancient wisdom of “the more, the better.” Think about Facebook or LINE. An SNS with just one friend versus one with 1,000 friends isn’t just 1,000 times more valuable—it’s exponentially more valuable. This principle is known as “Metcalfe’s Law,” which states that a network’s value is proportional to the square of the number of participants.
What’s particularly fascinating is the word “benzu” in this proverb. In modern terms, it means “to function” or “to be effective,” and this perfectly captures the critical mass where a platform truly “starts working.” Amazon’s marketplace couldn’t function with just a few sellers and buyers, but as both groups grow, the choices and convenience improve dramatically, creating a virtuous cycle that attracts even more participants.
The fact that Edo-period merchants intuitively understood that “markets with more people prosper more”—and that this experiential wisdom perfectly aligns with the fundamental principles of today’s digital economy—proves that the essential mechanisms of human society remain unchanged across the ages.
Lessons for Today
What “Many many increasingly speak” teaches us today is the importance of maintaining an attitude of continuous improvement. Rather than stopping and saying “that’s enough,” it shows the value of maintaining an attitude of continuous learning and growth.
However, in modern society, it’s important to have the discernment to determine “what we should have more of.” Instead of frantically trying to increase SNS likes or material possessions, think about what truly enriches your life. It might be knowledge, or it might be experience. It could be trustworthy human relationships, or skills that expand your possibilities.
Find what constitutes “Many many increasingly speak” for you, and carefully accumulate it. Pursuing quantity and valuing quality are not necessarily opposing concepts. Living in a way that carefully and continuously increases what is valuable to you – such a way of life might be the wisdom this proverb truly wanted to convey.
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