How to Read “There is no one without vanity and scabs”
Unubore to kasake no nai mono wa nai
Meaning of “There is no one without vanity and scabs”
This proverb means that everyone has at least one or two weaknesses of the heart like vanity, and one or two physical ailments like skin conditions. In other words, it expresses the simple truth that no perfect human being exists.
Vanity is a natural emotion that lives in everyone’s heart. Physical ailments are also unavoidable. People use this proverb to warn against criticizing others’ faults too harshly, or to acknowledge that they themselves are not perfect.
You might say, “That person has flaws too, because there is no one without vanity and scabs.” It’s used to encourage a tolerant attitude.
Skin diseases are not as common today as they once were. But the essence of this proverb hasn’t changed. It conveys the universal truth about humanity with a touch of humor: everyone carries some weakness or flaw.
Origin and Etymology
No clear written record explains the origin of this proverb. However, it was likely already widely used among common people during the Edo period.
“Vanity” refers to the tendency to overestimate oneself. “Kasake” means skin diseases, especially things like boils and rashes. At first glance, these two things seem completely unrelated. But there’s deep meaning in pairing them together.
Why were skin diseases used in this comparison? In the Edo period, medical standards meant skin conditions were extremely common. Limited access to clean water, nutritional problems, and different hygiene practices meant many people dealt with some kind of skin trouble.
So “scabs” became a symbol for the minor flaws everyone has. By pairing it with “vanity,” the proverb expresses an observation about human nature. Invisible flaws of the heart are just as universal as visible skin problems on the body.
No one is perfect. Everyone has some weakness or flaw. This proverb captures the wise, accepting understanding of human nature that our ancestors developed.
Interesting Facts
The word “kasake” that appears in this proverb is rarely used today. But in the Edo period, it was everyday medical terminology. Medical books from that time describe various types of kasake and their treatments, showing how much people cared about this issue.
What’s interesting is that this proverb puts “vanity” first. By mentioning the flaw of the heart before the physical ailment, it reveals a value system. Inner problems that can’t be seen are the more essential human weakness.
Physical ailments are obvious to everyone. But vanity, a problem of the heart, is hard to notice in yourself. Perhaps that’s why it’s mentioned first, to draw attention to it.
Usage Examples
- He only points out other people’s mistakes, but there is no one without vanity and scabs, so he should be more tolerant
- I was pushing myself too hard with perfectionism, but when I remembered there is no one without vanity and scabs, I felt a little better
Universal Wisdom
This proverb has been passed down for hundreds of years because it captures the essence of human nature so well. All of us, somewhere in our hearts, want to think of ourselves as special.
This is an expression of the self-affirmation we need to live. But when it becomes excessive, it turns into the weakness of vanity.
What’s fascinating is that this proverb treats flaws of the heart and physical ailments as equal. This doesn’t condemn human imperfection. Instead, it shows a tolerant perspective that accepts it as natural.
Just as skin diseases aren’t shameful, the mental habit of vanity is unavoidable as long as we’re human. That understanding is built into the proverb.
The wisdom here doesn’t teach that seeking perfection is meaningless. Rather, it teaches life wisdom about how to live while accepting imperfection as a given. You can be tolerant of others’ flaws only when you acknowledge your own imperfection.
People who accept their own weaknesses can be kind to others’ weaknesses too.
Our ancestors tried to understand humans, not judge them. When you start from the premise that everyone has flaws, you can see the importance of supporting and forgiving each other.
This universal understanding of humanity is why this proverb continues to live across the ages.
When AI Hears This
The immune system has an interesting dilemma. The stronger you make its power to attack foreign invaders, the higher the risk that it will mistakenly attack your own cells. In fact, even healthy people produce small amounts of autoantibodies every day, which can become seeds of autoimmune diseases.
On the other hand, if you try to completely prevent self-attack, your response to foreign threats becomes sluggish. The immune system is constantly walking a tightrope between “overreaction” and “underreaction.”
Human self-perception has the same structure. The tendency to evaluate yourself positively (called positive illusion in psychology) is actually a function necessary for survival. Without confidence, you can’t take on challenges, and the species can’t evolve.
But when this function is too strong, it becomes vanity. Meanwhile, physical imperfections, like minor skin abnormalities, are also evidence that cell division is actively occurring. Human skin cells replace themselves by the hundreds of billions each day, and copying errors inevitably occur in that process.
What’s important is that these aren’t “defects” but “proof that the system is functioning.” Perfect self-perception would require more brain processing power than we have. Perfect cell replication would cost too much energy.
Both vanity and scabs are unavoidable costs we pay for living and being active.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches modern people is the importance of not fearing imperfection. You don’t need to compare yourself to others who look perfect on social media and feel depressed. You don’t need to desperately try to hide your flaws.
Everyone has the mental habit of vanity. Everyone carries some weakness.
What matters is the courage to move forward while acknowledging your imperfection. If you’re aware that you have vanity, you can keep learning with humility. If you know you have flaws, you can be kind when others fail.
This proverb also teaches how to treat others. When someone’s flaw catches your eye, remember your own imperfection before blaming them. No one is perfect, so recognizing each other’s weaknesses and supporting each other is the foundation of human relationships.
Your tolerance will lighten the hearts of those around you. It will be the first step toward building better relationships.
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