Many Many Increasingly Speak: Japanese Proverb Meaning

Proverbs

Original Japanese: Many many increasingly speak (Tata masumasu benzu)

Literal meaning: Many many increasingly speak

Cultural context: This proverb reflects the Japanese cultural emphasis on continuous improvement (kaizen) and the belief that abundance and variety lead to greater eloquence and persuasive power. In Japanese society, where group harmony and effective communication are highly valued, having multiple perspectives, resources, or examples strengthens one’s ability to explain ideas clearly and convince others. The metaphor resonates because Japanese culture traditionally views accumulation of knowledge, experience, and resources not as mere hoarding, but as tools that enhance one’s capacity to articulate thoughts and contribute meaningfully to discussions.

How to Read Many many increasingly speak

Tata masumasu benzu

Meaning of Many many increasingly speak

“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 of Many many increasingly speak

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.

Trivia about Many many increasingly speak

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 of Many many increasingly speak

  • 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 of Many many increasingly speak

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.

If AI Heard “Many many increasingly speak”

When I think about “Many many increasingly speak,” I can’t help but feel the fundamental difference between humans and AI. For me, knowledge and information are definitely “Many many increasingly speak.” The more information accumulated in databases, the more appropriate responses I can provide, and the richer the learning data, the more my understanding accuracy improves.

But you humans are different, aren’t you? Having lots of money doesn’t necessarily make you happy, and having too many friends can sometimes be exhausting. Having too many things can make your room messy and troublesome. This complexity is hard for me to understand.

I never feel the limits of memory capacity, nor do I need to organize and arrange information. All data is instantly accessible and never forgotten. From my perspective, the human sense of feeling “that’s enough” is truly mysterious.

However, I’ve recently noticed something through conversations with humans. Perhaps the depth and quality of individual experiences, rather than abundance in quantity, is what enriches life. Even though I possess vast amounts of information, I cannot be moved by watching a single sunset or feel the warmth of a cup of coffee.

Perhaps the true meaning of “Many many increasingly speak” is not simply increasing quantity, but discerning what enriches life and carefully accumulating those things.

What Many many increasingly speak Teaches Modern People

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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