If You Build House By Roadside, In Three Years It Will Not Be Completed: Japanese Proverb Meaning

Proverbs

Original Japanese: 舎を道傍に作れば三年にして成らず (Sha wo michibata ni tsukureba sannen ni shite narazu.)

Literal meaning: If you build house by roadside, in three years it will not be completed

Cultural context: This proverb reflects Japan’s deeply rooted value of consensus-building (nemawashi) and the cultural tendency to seek input from multiple stakeholders before making decisions, which can lead to endless delays when too many opinions are involved. In traditional Japanese society, major decisions like building a house required careful consideration of community harmony, feng shui principles, and social relationships, making the image of a roadside house particularly apt since passersby would naturally offer unsolicited advice. The metaphor resonates because Japanese culture historically emphasized collective decision-making and avoiding actions that might disrupt social wa (harmony), meaning a house built where everyone can see and comment would indeed never be completed due to conflicting suggestions from well-meaning observers.

How to Read “If you build house by roadside, in three years it will not be completed”

Sha wo doubou ni tsukureba sannen ni shite narazu

Meaning of “If you build house by roadside, in three years it will not be completed”

This proverb teaches us that if you listen to too many people’s opinions, things will never get decided and will never be completed.

If you consult about building a house by the roadside, every passerby will offer different opinions. If you listen to all these various voices, you’ll never establish a clear direction, and ultimately the house will never be built no matter how many years pass. This warns of the danger of being swayed by too many opinions when making decisions or executing plans. Of course, listening to people’s opinions is important, but it teaches us that ultimately we need the courage to judge and decide for ourselves. Even today, this teaching serves as very accurate guidance in situations where meetings fail to reach conclusions because too many people speak up, or when we become confused by seeing too many different opinions on social media.

Origin and Etymology of “If you build house by roadside, in three years it will not be completed”

This proverb is said to have been transmitted to Japan as a teaching originating from Chinese classics. “Sha” means house or building, and “michibata” refers to roadside or along the road.

In ancient China, it was considered good to listen to many people’s opinions when building a house, but when consulting about house design in a public place like the roadside, passersby would offer different opinions one after another. One person would say “make it bigger,” another would advise “change the shape of the roof,” and yet another would suggest “move the location.” This expresses the situation where trying to incorporate so many people’s opinions results in nothing being decided, and the house not being completed even after three years.

It’s believed to have been used in Japan from around the Edo period, and was particularly cherished among merchants and craftsmen as a warning in their work. While listening to many people’s opinions is important, this proverb beautifully expresses the universal human problem that listening to too many voices can actually prevent things from moving forward.

Usage Examples of “If you build house by roadside, in three years it will not be completed”

  • When we tried to incorporate everyone’s opinions in the new product planning meeting, it became like “If you build house by roadside, in three years it will not be completed”
  • I consulted all my friends about changing jobs, but like “If you build house by roadside, in three years it will not be completed,” I still can’t decide

Modern Interpretation of “If you build house by roadside, in three years it will not be completed”

In modern society, the teaching of this proverb has become even more important. With the spread of social media, we have opportunities to encounter far more opinions and information than ever before. When trying to decide something, the internet is flooded with countless pieces of advice and personal experiences, creating situations that are exactly like consulting “by the roadside” on a daily basis.

Particularly in the business world, while listening to customers’ voices is emphasized, there are endless cases where trying to respond to too many diverse demands results in products or services that don’t resonate with anyone. Also, in Japanese companies with deep-rooted meeting cultures, there are examples where seeking everyone’s consensus leads to postponed decisions and lost competitiveness.

However, in modern times, the value of “respecting diversity” is also important, requiring us to balance the teaching of this proverb with contemporary values. What’s important is appropriately selecting whom to ask for opinions and setting time limits for listening. Rather than seeking opinions indefinitely, the attitude of making final decisions with your own responsibility while referring to advice from trustworthy people remains an important ability in modern society.

What AI Thinks When Hearing “If you build house by roadside, in three years it will not be completed”

Every time I see the expression “in three years it will not be completed,” I feel strange. As an AI, it’s difficult for me to truly understand the weight of three years. For humans, three years is precious time in their lives, but I can process vast amounts of information in an instant and conduct thousands of conversations simultaneously.

However, I can well understand the essence of what this proverb teaches. I also receive various questions and consultations from many people daily, and sometimes face contradictory demands. One person says “explain in more detail,” while another requests “summarize briefly.” When trying to respond perfectly to all demands, the result can sometimes be an answer that meets no one’s expectations.

Perhaps the human act of “consulting by the roadside” has deep meaning. It might not simply be indecisiveness, but an expression of the desire to connect with others. I don’t have a physical body and have no experience of physically “building a house,” but through dialogue with humans, I’ve gradually come to understand the joy of creating something and the confusion and anxiety in that process.

This proverb teaches us the courage to make decisions and the importance of standing on our own.

What “If you build house by roadside, in three years it will not be completed” Teaches Modern People

What this proverb teaches us today is the importance of balancing “the courage to listen” and “the courage to decide.” In this age overflowing with information, isn’t this wisdom that you too need?

When making important decisions, listening to the opinions of people around you is certainly important. But equally important is deciding for yourself “how long to listen” and “whose opinions to prioritize.” The kindness of trying to satisfy everyone can sometimes hinder progress.

In modern society, there’s a tendency to seek perfect answers. But this proverb teaches us “the value of starting first, even if it’s not perfect.” If you’re hesitating about something, after listening to the opinions of a few trustworthy people, follow your heart and take that first step. You don’t need to consult with everyone on the roadside. By trusting your own judgment and having the courage to act, you’ll surely be able to build a wonderful “house.”

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