How to Read “銭ある時は鬼をも使う”
Zeni aru toki wa oni wo mo tsukau
Meaning of “銭ある時は鬼をも使う”
This proverb means that if you have money, you can accomplish anything, no matter how difficult or seemingly impossible it may be.
It expresses that money has such tremendous power that even supernatural and terrifying beings like demons can be made to serve you. In practical terms, it refers to how having money allows you to hire people, receive services, and obtain means to solve difficult problems. It’s not simply about buying things, but rather the teaching that by gaining people’s cooperation and utilizing specialized skills and services, you can accomplish things that would be utterly impossible to do alone.
This proverb is used when facing difficult challenges or trying to achieve goals that seem impossible. It’s often used with a positive connotation, suggesting that if you have the practical means of money, combined with creativity and ingenuity, a path will open up. Even today, you can truly understand the meaning of this expression in situations where securing funding greatly expands your options for business development and problem-solving.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of this proverb is thought to have emerged from the lived experiences of common people during the Edo period. In Japanese society at that time, there was a reality where the power of money greatly influenced human relationships and social status.
The expression “even demons are used” symbolically represents the tremendous power of money by referencing demons, beings that the Japanese have long feared and revered. Demons were considered the most terrifying beings for humans, impossible to make obey. The idea that even demons could be made to serve if you had money must have been a very impactful metaphor for people of that time.
The Edo period was also an era when commerce developed and the monetary economy deeply penetrated the lives of common people. While the samurai class was nominally at the highest rank, in reality, situations arose where they had to rely on the economic power of merchants. Against this social backdrop, it’s presumed that this proverb became established as an expression of the realistic power of money, tinged with irony.
It spread orally as a folk saying among the common people and eventually came to be recorded in literature. The sharp observational skills based on the real experiences of ordinary people support the universality of this proverb.
Usage Examples
- Thanks to securing startup funding, following the principle that “when money exists, even demons are used,” I was able to assemble an excellent team of engineers
- If we can secure the budget, they say “when money exists, even demons are used,” so this difficult project should work out somehow
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, this proverb is showing new dimensions of meaning. In today’s digital age, if you have money, you can connect online with experts from around the world and utilize AI tools and cutting-edge technology to accomplish things on par with major corporations, even as an individual. Through crowdsourcing and freelance platforms, it’s possible to gather talented people from around the world, truly “using even demons” as the saying suggests.
On the other hand, in modern times, critical views toward the “money is everything” value system have also strengthened. Due to environmental problems and widening social inequality, questions have arisen about simply praising the power of money alone. However, funding is ultimately necessary even for solving social issues, and the essential meaning of this proverb remains unchanged.
Looking at startup success stories, even with excellent ideas, they cannot be realized without securing funding, but conversely, with sufficient funds, you can gather the best talent, introduce the latest equipment, and deploy effective marketing. Crowdfunding, a new fundraising mechanism, could be called a modern version of this proverb.
However, in modern times, “trust” and “networks” are recognized as equally important resources alongside money, and we’ve entered an era where comprehensive resource utilization is required, not just simple monetary power alone.
When AI Hears This
The expression “using even demons” in this proverb encapsulates the remarkable realism of the Japanese people. In Western culture, devils are portrayed as beings who make equal contracts with humans. Dr. Faust strikes a deal with the demon Mephistopheles, wagering his soul, but there’s no clear hierarchy between them.
However, the Japanese positioned even oni—terrifying supernatural beings—as the “employed party.” This isn’t simply about the almighty power of money, but reveals a much deeper cultural characteristic. Japanese oni are certainly frightening, but they’re not portrayed as absolute evil. Instead, they’re depicted as beings who sometimes repent or cooperate with humans. Even in Momotaro’s demon-slaying tale, the oni ultimately surrender and offer up their treasures.
Behind this lies a distinctive feature of Japanese society: the “rejection of absolute authority.” Even with the imperial system, real power was held by shoguns, and those shoguns could only govern with the support of their retainers. There’s a deeply rooted idea that no matter how mighty an existence might be, relationships can change depending on circumstances.
“When you have money, you can use even demons” represents the Japanese people’s thorough pragmatism—the belief that with the practical power of money, you can build useful relationships with any transcendent being—and their egalitarian tendency to resist fixed hierarchies. The perspective of viewing even demons as “usable personnel” truly represents the pinnacle of Japanese realism.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches modern people is that to realize dreams and goals, you need not only idealism but also practical means. While the value that “money isn’t everything” is important, by simultaneously accepting the reality that “money is also necessary,” you can create more constructive life plans.
What’s important is to view money as a means, not an end. If you have something you truly want to do or want to contribute to society, consider fundraising as part of your strategy. There are various methods available in modern times, such as crowdfunding, proposals to investors, and building funds through side businesses.
This proverb also teaches the “importance of preparation.” If you don’t have money when the time comes, you might miss valuable opportunities. By systematically saving funds in daily life and creating a state where you can “use even demons” when needed, you expand your life choices.
Rather than being controlled by money, make money your ally and carve out a life that’s true to yourself. New possibilities will surely come into view.
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