How to Read “Only after lifting ten thousand jun in your hand do you see great strength”
Te ni bankin wo sagete shikaru nochi ni tariki arawaru
Meaning of “Only after lifting ten thousand jun in your hand do you see great strength”
This proverb means that a person’s true abilities only become clear when they face difficult situations or heavy responsibilities.
Just as having someone lift an unimaginably heavy weight reveals how much strength they truly possess, you cannot see someone’s real capabilities until you give them a major challenge or responsibility.
In everyday life and peaceful situations, everyone seems capable enough. They complete their work and appear competent.
But when someone is given a truly difficult project, or must make decisions under great pressure, that’s when their true worth is tested.
This proverb teaches the importance of actually testing people through trials to see how they respond when evaluating them.
Origin and Etymology
This proverb is believed to come from ancient Chinese classics.
“Ten thousand jun” refers to an ancient Chinese unit of weight. One jun equals about 30 kin, and ten thousand jun is ten thousand times that—an impossibly heavy weight.
It’s actually impossible to lift such weight, but that’s precisely why this phrase carries such deep meaning.
The expression “shikaru nochi ni” shows the influence of classical Chinese reading style. It means “only after that” or “for the first time after that.”
The entire proverb has a classical Chinese structure, suggesting it reflects Chinese philosophy that came to Japan.
In ancient China, people believed in measuring someone’s abilities by actually placing them in difficult situations to see their true worth.
Anyone can say impressive things during peaceful times. But when someone faces truly heavy responsibility or difficult circumstances, that’s when their real capabilities become clear.
This proverb came to Japan and was valued in both samurai and scholarly circles. It matched a culture that emphasized actual ability over formal evaluation.
It embodies a strict but fair value system—judging people by their actual actions and results, not just their words.
Usage Examples
- I gave the new employee a major project, and as they say, only after lifting ten thousand jun in your hand do you see great strength—I finally understood his true abilities
- He says impressive things, but only after lifting ten thousand jun in your hand do you see great strength, so I won’t know until I actually give him responsible work
Universal Wisdom
Human abilities are remarkably difficult to see. A resume shows experience, an interview shows how someone speaks, daily behavior shows one aspect of character.
But these all reveal only one side of a person. This proverb has been passed down for hundreds of years because it captures an unchanging truth.
A person’s true worth only appears through trials.
Why do people only show their true nature when facing difficulties? Because in peaceful times, everyone can wear a social mask and play expected roles.
But when someone carries truly heavy responsibility, or encounters unexpected difficulties, that mask falls away.
What appears then is their real judgment, patience, and character.
This wisdom is especially important for those who choose leaders. To see through people who are all talk and identify truly trustworthy individuals, you must actually give them heavy responsibilities.
It also offers insight for personal growth. If you want to know your true capabilities, you cannot stay in safe places.
You must deliberately throw yourself into difficult challenges.
When AI Hears This
The structure of this proverb—that strength doesn’t exist until it’s measured—aligns surprisingly well with modern physics.
In quantum mechanics, an electron’s position spreads as a probability cloud until observed. The moment you measure it, it collapses to a single point.
In other words, “the position doesn’t exist before observation.” Similarly, this proverb says that without “the act of measuring by having someone lift ten thousand jun,” the attribute of “great strength” doesn’t manifest.
What’s interesting is that the scale of measurement determines the result. With a one-kilogram load, everyone can carry it, so differences in strength remain invisible.
But by imposing the extreme weight of ten thousand jun—about 30 tons—differences in ability finally become observable.
This follows the same principle as measurement instrument sensitivity. A thermometer can detect a slight fever because it measures in 0.1-degree increments.
Choosing the appropriate measurement scale makes hidden attributes visible.
Even more important is that this measurement act is unidirectional. In quantum mechanics, the moment you observe something, you change its state.
The act of having someone lift ten thousand jun also changes their muscles and mental state, creating a different condition from before measurement.
In other words, it’s the observer effect itself—”measurement changes the object.”
This proverb teaches that attributes aren’t fixed labels attached to objects. They’re relationships that only appear through appropriate interaction with a measurement system.
Lessons for Today
This proverb teaches you two important things. First, for your own growth, you need courage to deliberately jump into difficult challenges.
If you stay in comfortable places, you cannot know your true strength or develop it.
When you take on heavy responsibility, you finally discover the power sleeping inside you.
Second, it teaches caution when evaluating others. Don’t judge people by first impressions or surface behavior alone.
If you truly want to understand someone, you need to see how they respond in difficult situations.
This applies not just to hiring decisions at work, but also to friendships. A truly trustworthy friend is someone who helps you when you face difficulties.
Modern society shows a growing tendency to avoid risk and fear failure. But this proverb teaches us something different.
True growth begins when you resolve to carry heavy loads. Believe in your potential and take that step forward.
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