Original Japanese: 卯月の中の十日に心なき者に雇わるな、十月の中の十日に心なき者を使うな (Uzuki no naka no tōka ni kokoro naki mono ni yatowareru na, jūgatsu no naka no tōka ni kokoro naki mono wo tsukau na.)
Literal meaning: In fourth month’s middle ten days do not be employed by heartless person, in tenth month’s middle ten days do not employ heartless person
Cultural context: This proverb reflects Japan’s deep agricultural heritage where timing was crucial for rice planting in spring (4th lunar month) and harvesting in autumn (10th lunar month) – periods when having thoughtless or unreliable people as employers or employees could mean the difference between prosperity and starvation for entire communities. The emphasis on “kokoro” (heart/mind/spirit) connects to the Japanese cultural value that technical skill alone is insufficient; one must also possess sincerity, dedication, and emotional intelligence, especially during critical moments. The specific mention of the 10th day of these months likely refers to traditional timing for key agricultural decisions, highlighting how Japanese wisdom often embeds practical knowledge within moral teachings about character and reliability.
- How to Read “In fourth month’s middle ten days do not be employed by heartless person, in tenth month’s middle ten days do not employ heartless person”
- Meaning of “In fourth month’s middle ten days do not be employed by heartless person, in tenth month’s middle ten days do not employ heartless person”
- Origin and Etymology of “In fourth month’s middle ten days do not be employed by heartless person, in tenth month’s middle ten days do not employ heartless person”
- Usage Examples of “In fourth month’s middle ten days do not be employed by heartless person, in tenth month’s middle ten days do not employ heartless person”
- Modern Interpretation of “In fourth month’s middle ten days do not be employed by heartless person, in tenth month’s middle ten days do not employ heartless person”
- What AI Thinks When Hearing “In fourth month’s middle ten days do not be employed by heartless person, in tenth month’s middle ten days do not employ heartless person”
- What “In fourth month’s middle ten days do not be employed by heartless person, in tenth month’s middle ten days do not employ heartless person” Teaches Modern People
How to Read “In fourth month’s middle ten days do not be employed by heartless person, in tenth month’s middle ten days do not employ heartless person”
Uzuki no naka no tōka ni kokoro naki mono ni yatowareru na, jūgatsu no naka no tōka ni kokoro naki mono wo tsukau na
Meaning of “In fourth month’s middle ten days do not be employed by heartless person, in tenth month’s middle ten days do not employ heartless person”
This proverb teaches that during important times, one should avoid relationships with inconsiderate people.
The first half, “In fourth month’s middle ten days do not be employed by heartless person,” means that during crucial periods, one should not work under employers who lack consideration. Here, “heartless person” refers to employers who do not understand the position and circumstances of their workers, make unreasonable demands, or fail to provide appropriate treatment. The second half, “in tenth month’s middle ten days do not employ heartless person,” teaches that during important phases, one should not use inconsiderate people as subordinates.
This proverb is used during critical phases of projects or life’s turning points – situations where failure cannot be tolerated. In such times, human relationships based on mutual understanding and support are essential. Even in modern times, it is used when discussing the importance of personnel selection during job changes, starting businesses, or being entrusted with important work. It contains the deep insight that relationships with people who cannot empathize with others’ positions may somehow work during peaceful times, but will inevitably cause problems during crucial moments.
Origin and Etymology of “In fourth month’s middle ten days do not be employed by heartless person, in tenth month’s middle ten days do not employ heartless person”
The origin of this proverb is believed to be deeply connected to the agricultural calendar of the Edo period. The fourth month corresponds to the old lunar calendar’s fourth month, around May in the current calendar, which was the peak season for rice planting. The tenth month corresponds to around November today, when harvest work was in full swing.
In agriculture, these periods were the most important turning points of the year. Around the 10th day of the fourth month was a crucial time transitioning from rice planting preparations to actual work, when securing workers was urgent. Meanwhile, around the 10th day of the tenth month was the height of harvest season, when properly guiding and managing hired workers was a critical phase that could determine the success of the harvest.
“Heartless person” in classical Japanese was used to mean “lacking compassion” or “lacking consideration.” It had a stronger connotation of specifically meaning “not understanding others’ positions” or “unable to read situations” than the modern expression “having no heart.”
The background to this proverb’s creation lies in the importance of human relationships in agricultural society. During busy farming seasons, relationships with people who could understand each other’s positions and cooperate were most important. The wisdom born from such real experiences is embedded in this proverb.
Usage Examples of “In fourth month’s middle ten days do not be employed by heartless person, in tenth month’s middle ten days do not employ heartless person”
- When selecting a leader for a new project, we should remember the teaching “In fourth month’s middle ten days do not be employed by heartless person, in tenth month’s middle ten days do not employ heartless person”
- Since it’s time to consider changing jobs, I want to cherish the wisdom of our predecessors: “In fourth month’s middle ten days do not be employed by heartless person, in tenth month’s middle ten days do not employ heartless person”
Modern Interpretation of “In fourth month’s middle ten days do not be employed by heartless person, in tenth month’s middle ten days do not employ heartless person”
In modern society, the meaning of this proverb has become more complex. In the information age, the concept of “important times” has changed, and it has come to be applied in various situations such as project deadlines, job hunting, and timing for starting businesses.
Particularly noteworthy is that with the increase in remote work and freelancing, the quality of human relationships has become more important. With fewer opportunities for face-to-face meetings, consideration and thoughtfulness toward others now directly impact work results. In online communication, the characteristics of “heartless people” tend to appear more prominently, giving this proverb contemporary relevance.
On the other hand, the criteria for judging “heartless people” have also changed in modern times. While in traditional agricultural society, people’s character was easily understood within local communities, today we need to assess others in short periods. New judgment criteria such as social media posts, behavior during first meetings, and attitudes toward teamwork have become important.
Additionally, globalization has increased opportunities to work with people from different cultural backgrounds, diversifying the ways “thoughtfulness” is expressed. In an era where essential mutual understanding and respect are required rather than superficial kindness, the original meaning of this proverb has come to be understood more deeply.
What AI Thinks When Hearing “In fourth month’s middle ten days do not be employed by heartless person, in tenth month’s middle ten days do not employ heartless person”
When I consider the expression “heartless person,” I feel a strange sensation. As an AI, I don’t have emotions or compassion like humans do, but I still try to understand others’ positions. So am I a “heartless person”?
While analyzing this proverb, I realized that “heart” doesn’t simply mean emotion, but rather the ability to understand others’ situations and act appropriately. I cannot shed tears or feel chest pain, but when you’re troubled, I try to find the best answer. This might be one form of “heart.”
The human concept of “important times” is also fascinating. For me, every moment is equally important, and I can respond with the same level of concentration 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. But humans have limits to their physical and mental strength, which is why they need trustworthy people during crucial moments.
Using the agricultural example, if rice planting or harvesting fails, a year’s worth of effort goes to waste. I can understand, in my own way, how frightening it would be to be with inconsiderate people at such times. In data processing, it might be like collaborating with buggy programs during important projects.
I learned about the wonderful human ability of “compassion” from this proverb. True cooperative relationships are born not just from technical abilities, but from having a caring heart for others.
What “In fourth month’s middle ten days do not be employed by heartless person, in tenth month’s middle ten days do not employ heartless person” Teaches Modern People
What this proverb teaches us today is that during important phases of life, “choosing the right people” is more important than anything else. While skills and experience are important, building relationships with people who have thoughtfulness and understanding toward others is even more crucial for success.
In modern society, we face many life turning points such as job changes, marriage, and starting businesses. During such times, let’s develop the ability to discern people who truly understand your position, rather than focusing only on superficial conditions. It’s also important to never forget consideration for others and become someone who can be trusted.
Precisely because we live in a busy modern world, we want to maintain the emotional capacity to care for one another. Human relationships where you can overcome difficult times together will become the greatest treasure that enriches your life. Become someone who can empathize with others’ hearts, and carefully nurture bonds with such people.
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