How to Read “上には上がある”
Ue ni wa ue ga aru
Meaning of “上には上がある”
“Above has above there is” means that no matter how excellent a person’s abilities may be, there will always be someone even more outstanding above them.
This expression is used mainly in two situations. One is to warn against complacency and arrogance when oneself or others excel at something. The other is to comfort and encourage people who have experienced failure or setbacks. In the former case, it means “You are certainly skilled, but above has above there is, so you should strive harder.” In the latter case, it means “You lost this time, but your opponent isn’t perfect either. Since above has above there is, don’t give up and keep trying.”
The reason for using this proverb is to stimulate human ambition while maintaining humility. It encourages people to accept the reality that no perfect human exists while not losing the motivation to continue growing. Even today, this universal truth resonates with many people in sports, academics, and work situations, and is often quoted in contexts of self-improvement and human resource development.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of “Above has above there is” is thought to be rooted in ancient Chinese philosophical thought. The theory that it derives from the concept found in Laozi’s “Tao Te Ching” – “Beyond heaven there is heaven, beyond people there are people” – which was transmitted to Japan and took root there, is considered credible.
This expression can also be found scattered throughout Edo period literature, showing that it was widely used even then. While the Edo period had a strict class system, there were also meritocratic aspects in the worlds of learning and arts. Against this social background, it was valued as an expression that captured the reality that no matter how excellent a person might be, there would always be someone even better.
It is also deeply connected to Japan’s traditional virtue of humility. Because there was a cultural foundation that warned against boasting about one’s abilities and taught the importance of always being humble, this proverb resonated with people’s hearts. In the spirit of bushido as well, it was valued as a teaching that warned against complacency.
Thus, “Above has above there is” is a proverb with deep history that took root through the fusion of Eastern philosophical influence with Japan’s unique cultural values.
Usage Examples
- He won the prefectural tournament, but since above has above there is, he can’t let his guard down at the national tournament
- I thought my programming skills had improved considerably, but seeing my colleague made me painfully realize that above has above there is
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, “Above has above there is” has taken on new meaning, especially in the age of social media and the internet. On platforms like YouTube and TikTok, new talents are discovered daily and quickly gain attention. It’s not uncommon for someone who was unknown yesterday to become famous overnight and surpass existing top creators.
Globalization has also increased opportunities to be compared with excellent talent from around the world. Engineers who were considered first-class within Japan find themselves compared to Silicon Valley engineers, or innovative ideas from small local companies attract attention from global corporations. In such an environment, the recognition that “above has above there is” becomes more realistic.
On the other hand, for modern people who constantly compare themselves to others due to information overload, this proverb can sometimes become a burden. Many people feel inadequate every time they see others’ success on Instagram or LinkedIn.
However, as AI technology advances and redefines the limits and possibilities of human capability, the essential value of this proverb is being reconsidered. The attitude of not seeking perfection too much while emphasizing continuous growth has become an important mindset for surviving in today’s rapidly changing society.
When AI Hears This
From this perspective, “There’s always someone better” may not simply be a lesson in humility, but could express a fundamental structure of the universe. Cantor proved that the infinity of real numbers is “larger” than the infinity of natural numbers, and this proverb shares the same structure.
What’s fascinating is Cantor’s proof method called the diagonal argument. He mathematically demonstrated that no matter how large an infinite set you present, there must always exist an even larger infinity. This perfectly aligns with our everyday intuition that “no matter how skilled someone is, there’s always someone more skilled.”
Even more remarkable is that this hierarchy of infinities has no end. There’s an infinite sequence of infinities—aleph-null, aleph-one, aleph-two, and so on—creating a perpetual state where “there’s always someone better” continues forever. Perhaps our Japanese ancestors intuitively grasped this mathematical truth.
This perspective remains crucial in today’s competitive society. The moment we consider the level we’ve reached as the “peak,” we risk overlooking the existence of greater infinities. What mathematics teaches us is that growth has no true end, and new dimensions of “better” are constantly being discovered.
Lessons for Today
“Above has above there is” teaches modern people the courage to be freed from perfectionism. Whether you’re someone who gets depressed seeing only others’ brilliant moments on social media, or someone worried about not achieving the results you want at work, before this proverb, we are all equally human beings in the process of growth.
What’s important is not being elated or dejected by comparisons with others, but comparing yesterday’s self with today’s self. While there is certainly above above, this never negates your value. Rather, it’s a light of hope showing that you still have the potential to grow.
In modern society, specialization has become subdivided, making it impossible for one person to excel at everything. That’s why it’s good to find your area of expertise and grow steadily there. At the same time, don’t forget the humility to learn from those who excel in other fields.
This proverb teaches you that you have infinite possibilities. What you couldn’t do today, you might be able to do tomorrow. As long as you continue aiming upward, there is no end to your growth.
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