How to Read “山高きが故に貴からず”
yamatakakigayuenitattokarazu
Meaning of “山高きが故に貴からず”
This proverb means that no matter how high a mountain is, that alone does not make it valuable.
By extension, it teaches that for people and things, true value is not determined solely by impressive appearance or high status. It expresses the idea that what is truly important is the spirituality and richness of content that dwells within, rather than visible characteristics like the height of a mountain.
This proverb is used as a warning when we tend to be misled by titles or appearances, or when we ourselves are overly concerned with external appearances. For example, it is used in situations where just because someone graduated from a famous university doesn’t necessarily mean they are excellent, or just because something is a luxury item doesn’t necessarily mean it’s truly good.
Even in modern times, this teaching is very meaningful in a society with strong brand orientation and competition for showing off on social media. It shows universal life wisdom that what is truly important is substance, and we should not be misled by superficial glamour.
Origin and Etymology
This proverb is said to originate from the Chinese classic “Analects.” There is an expression attributed to Zixia, a disciple of Confucius: “The mountain is not valued for its height; if there are immortals, then it becomes famous,” which is thought to have been transmitted to Japan and evolved.
In Japan, it began appearing in literature around the Heian period and was initially often used in Buddhist contexts. The underlying idea was that a mountain’s value is determined not by its height itself, but by the virtue of the immortals or monks who live there.
During the Edo period, it became widely known as part of the education of the samurai class and became established as a lesson that a person’s value is not determined solely by status or impressive appearance. The “noble” in “noble not” means “valuable, precious” in classical Japanese, which is slightly different from the modern meaning of “nobility.”
The background to why this proverb has continued to be loved by Japanese people lies in Japan’s cultural values that emphasize inner qualities over external appearance. By using the familiar example of mountains in nature, it embodies the wisdom of ancestors who expressed abstract moral concepts in an easily understandable way.
Usage Examples
- That company is in a magnificent office building, but as they say “Mountain high because noble not,” I want to carefully assess what the actual quality of their service is like
- He graduated from a famous university and has impressive titles, but as the saying “Mountain high because noble not” goes, let’s judge him after seeing his actual work performance
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the teaching of this proverb has become even more important. This is because with the spread of social media, many people have developed a stronger tendency to pursue “good looks” and “superficial success.”
On Instagram and TikTok, luxurious lifestyles and seemingly perfect daily lives attract attention. However, the reality behind such posts is unknowable. It becomes important not to be misled by the “height” of follower counts or the number of “likes,” but to discern a person’s true character and value.
The same applies in the business world. There are abundant elements that appear valuable at first glance, such as impressive offices, degrees from famous universities, and glamorous titles. However, what is truly important is actual ability, humanity, and the substance of the value one can provide.
On the other hand, in modern times, there is also a tendency to go too far with “substance-focused” thinking and neglect minimum standards of appearance and formality. This proverb does not completely deny external appearance, but teaches that we should not judge based on appearance alone.
In an era where technological advancement makes it easy to create beautiful AI-generated images and videos, the ability to see through to the essence without being misled by superficial information has become even more important.
When AI Hears This
Influencer culture represents a phenomenon that goes directly against the principle of “a mountain is not precious simply because it is high.” Here, the “height” of follower count serves as proof of value, creating a reversal where an influencer with one million followers is valued more highly than an expert with ten thousand followers.
What’s fascinating is the “false authority” created by this numbers-first mentality. For example, health information from someone with one million followers but little medical knowledge spreads more widely than posts from actual medical specialists. In other words, the “height of the mountain” (follower count) obscures the “presence of jewels” (specialized knowledge).
Even more striking is how this structure perpetuates itself. The more followers someone has, the more corporate partnerships they receive, leading to greater exposure and even more followers. It’s truly a system where “high mountains become even higher.” Meanwhile, those who share genuinely valuable information tend to get buried because they lack flashiness.
Ironically, however, as the influencer boom wanes, “micro-influencers” are gaining attention. These are people with smaller but highly engaged followings, which may be evidence that the value of “low mountains with jewels” is beginning to be recognized again. This shift from the tyranny of numbers back to an era of quality proves the wisdom of the old proverb.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches modern people is “the importance of cultivating the ability to see through to the essence.” Precisely because we live in an era overflowing with information, we need the power to discern the true value of things without being misled by superficial information.
Specifically, when you meet people, try focusing first on the content of what they say and their actions, rather than their titles or appearance. When choosing products, consider the actual quality and value to yourself rather than the flashiness of the packaging.
This proverb is also a warning to ourselves. While it’s important to maintain our appearance, why not spend time cultivating our inner selves even more? Deepening knowledge, acquiring skills, nurturing compassion for others. Such “invisible height” becomes true wealth in the long run.
When you feel down from comparing yourself to others on social media, remember these words. The glamour displayed on screens is merely “mountain height.” Your inner richness—your kindness, efforts, and motivation for growth—is what has true value.
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