How to Read “Look at both sides of the shield”
Tate no ryōmen wo miyo
Meaning of “Look at both sides of the shield”
“Look at both sides of the shield” teaches that everything has multiple sides, front and back. We should examine things from many angles before making judgments, not just from one direction.
In daily life, we tend to judge things based only on what we see in front of us. However, every event and every person has multiple sides. What seems right from the front might hide a different truth when viewed from behind.
This proverb is especially used when making important decisions or evaluating people. People often say, “As they say, look at both sides of the shield, so let’s think more carefully.” It warns against hasty judgments.
This teaching remains extremely important today. In our information-filled society, we need to view things from multiple perspectives, not just one source.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of “Look at both sides of the shield” has no clear written record. However, we can make interesting observations from how the phrase is constructed.
The shield has been an important tool for protection in battle since ancient times. Shields were used in Japan from ancient days. From the front, a shield is a reliable symbol of defense against enemies.
However, every shield has a back side. From the front, it appears as solid protection. But from behind, you can see the handle structure, weight, and weak points in the material.
This proverb uses the concrete example of a shield to teach about the many-sided nature of things. Even a single object shows completely different aspects depending on the viewing angle.
In complex human relationships and social events, one-directional viewing cannot capture the truth. This is the lesson.
The use of a shield as an example suggests this proverb may have originated as a samurai teaching during the Warring States period. In battle, seeing enemy movements from only one angle could be fatal.
Such practical wisdom likely spread from warriors to common people as broader life wisdom.
Usage Examples
- That proposal looks good, but as they say, look at both sides of the shield—let’s check the disadvantages carefully too
- It’s too early to decide just by hearing her side. Look at both sides of the shield—we need to hear the other person’s story too
Universal Wisdom
“Look at both sides of the shield” has been passed down through generations because it contains deep insight into a fundamental human tendency. That tendency is our instinctive preference for “simplification.”
When facing complex reality, the human brain naturally organizes information and creates easy-to-understand stories. Good or bad, right or wrong, friend or enemy.
This binary thinking is easy for the brain to process and enables quick decisions. However, this convenient function sometimes leads us to wrong conclusions.
Our ancestors understood this human nature. That’s why they continued to sound the alarm with the words “Look at both sides of the shield.” Truth is always complex and multifaceted.
The view from one angle is never the whole picture.
This proverb survives across time because this human tendency never changes. Ancient people and modern people alike easily fall into the trap of simplification.
That’s why the wisdom to stop and look from multiple angles is needed in every era. The depth of human understanding is condensed in these few words.
When AI Hears This
Consider the wave-particle duality experiment. When you shoot photons one at a time, they behave as particles. But change the detector and they behave as waves.
Surprisingly, the moment you decide which property to measure, light shows only that property. In other words, the act of observation itself determines reality.
Looking at both sides of a shield has the same structure. While viewing the front, information about the back is completely blocked. Simultaneous observation is physically impossible.
In quantum mechanics, position and momentum cannot be measured accurately at the same time. This is Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle. The shield is the same—the act of observing one side fundamentally excludes information about the other side.
More interesting is that the unobserved side definitely exists. In the quantum world, there is superposition where states remain undetermined until observed.
But with the shield, the unseen back definitely exists. This suggests the boundary between classical and quantum physics.
Human perception faces the same constraints. While viewing things from one perspective, the opposite perspective necessarily becomes a blind spot. This constraint is not a limitation of brain processing capacity but a structural limitation inherent in the act of observation itself.
Lessons for Today
“Look at both sides of the shield” teaches you the courage not to rush to judgment.
Our society increasingly demands instant decisions. On social media, we’re asked for immediate “likes” and “shares.” In meetings, quick decision-making is valued.
However, the more important the decision, the more time we need to stop and look from multiple angles.
Specifically, develop the habit of asking yourself, “How would this look from the opposite side?” before important decisions. When angry at someone in a relationship, try thinking from their position.
When tempted to jump on a new idea, calmly examine the risks and drawbacks too. These small practices will steadily improve your judgment.
And remember this: Looking at both sides is never indecisiveness. It is carefulness, wisdom, and the attitude of a mature adult.
Don’t rush. Take your time. Truth reveals itself in your willingness to look from multiple angles.
Comments