How to Read “虎の威を借る狐”
Tora no i wo kariru kitsune
Meaning of “虎の威を借る狐”
“Fox borrowing tiger’s authority” means acting as if one has power by gaining the backing of those in authority or influential people, despite lacking actual ability.
This expression is used critically to describe people who act arrogantly or pretentiously based on others’ authority, regardless of their actual abilities or position. Just as the fox used the tiger’s presence to frighten other animals, it is often used in situations where someone who would normally not be taken seriously intimidates others by invoking their boss’s or organization’s name.
In modern society, it is used to describe the behavior of people who brandish their company titles or show off their connections with celebrities to make themselves appear more important. This proverb contains the important message of not being deceived by such superficial authority, but rather discerning a person’s true abilities and character.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of “Fox borrowing tiger’s authority” lies in a fable found in the Chu Strategy section of the ancient Chinese classic “Strategies of the Warring States.” This story was born as a lesson that expressed the political maneuvering of the Warring States period through animal fables.
According to the story, when a tiger caught a fox and was about to eat it, the fox cleverly said: “You must not eat me. The Heavenly Emperor has appointed me as the king of all beasts. If you eat me, you will be defying the Heavenly Emperor’s command.” The tiger was skeptical, but the fox continued, “If you don’t believe me, follow behind me. I’ll show you how the beasts fear me and run away.”
So the fox took the lead and the tiger followed behind as they walked through the forest, and all the animals they encountered fled in fear. However, in reality, the animals were not afraid of the fox, but of the tiger behind it. The fox had cleverly used the tiger’s power to make it appear as if it possessed great strength.
This fable was transmitted to Japan and became established as a warning against those who act arrogantly by borrowing others’ authority or power.
Usage Examples
- The section chief who makes unreasonable demands on business partners by invoking the department head’s name is truly a fox borrowing tiger’s authority
- He who only boasts about his famous university’s name is a fox borrowing tiger’s authority, lacking actual ability
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, “Fox borrowing tiger’s authority” appears in more complex and diverse forms. In today’s SNS era, more people are using follower counts and the number of “likes” as authority. Posting photos with influencers to enhance one’s own value, or excessively emphasizing brief work experience at famous companies, can also be called modern versions of “Fox borrowing tiger’s authority.”
Particularly in the business world, this phenomenon has become more sophisticated. Examples include unnecessarily emphasizing being a subcontractor of a major corporation, or speaking of a one-time encounter with a celebrity as if it were an ongoing relationship. The tendency to overvalue academic credentials and qualifications beyond actual ability is also deeply related to this concept.
However, with the advancement of the information society, such “borrowed authority” is quickly exposed. In today’s merit-based society, it has become clear that while one may temporarily borrow others’ authority, it does not lead to long-term success.
Rather, in modern times, values that cherish individuality and uniqueness have spread, and the importance of developing one’s own strengths rather than borrowing others’ authority has been recognized. This proverb teaches modern people anew the importance of acquiring true ability rather than relying on superficial authority.
When AI Hears This
Modern organizational psychology has identified a phenomenon called “borrowed authority syndrome.” This is a psychological pattern where people try to enhance their self-worth by relying on others’ authority or influence rather than their own abilities or position.
What’s fascinating is that typical examples of this syndrome have exploded in the social media era. Posting photos with influencers to showcase one’s value or flaunting business cards from famous companies are essentially modern versions of “a fox borrowing the tiger’s威.” Psychologist Robert Cialdini points out in his book “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion” that people have an unconscious tendency to submit to authority.
Particularly noteworthy is how this syndrome functions within organizations. Research shows that people who depend on borrowed authority may attract attention in the short term, but tend to lose trust over the long term. This is because when the source of authority is external, their influence disappears the moment that relationship is severed.
Even more troubling is that people with borrowed authority syndrome tend to experience decreased self-efficacy. Because they constantly rely on others’ authority, their own skill development stagnates, resulting in a vicious cycle where they never develop real competence. It’s remarkable that an ancient Chinese fable could foresee modern identity crises with such insight.
Lessons for Today
What “Fox borrowing tiger’s authority” teaches modern people is the importance of distinguishing between true confidence and superficial dignity. Relying on others’ authority is never a bad thing. We all live with the support of family, friends, colleagues, and society as a whole.
What’s important is not forgetting gratitude for that support and the effort toward one’s own growth. Even when invoking a supervisor’s name, it’s healthy if it’s to clarify responsibility rather than to intimidate the other party. Academic credentials and titles also become valuable if they are viewed as starting points for growth and connected to continuous learning and practice.
In modern society, opportunities to build connections with various people through SNS and networking have increased. In such an era, rather than relying on superficial relationships, we are required to cherish each encounter and build relationships where we can provide mutual value.
You too should be able to walk a path of creating your own unique value while borrowing others’ power. That might be the most meaningful way of life for us living in modern times.
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