Muri ga Tōreba Dōri Hikkomu (無理が通れば道理引っ込む - Might Makes Right)
May 27, 2023 16:19
Muri ga Tōreba Dōri Hikkomu
If forceful, unreasonable demands pass, the reason or justification may be no longer valid.
To describe such a situation, you can use the Japanese proverb, 'muri ga tōreba dōri hikkomu' (無理が通れば道理引っ込む).
Since 'muri' (無理) means "unreason," 'tōre/tōru' (通る) means "to pass," 'dōri' (道理) means "reason," and 'hikkomu' (引っ込む) means "to step back," the literal meaning of this proverb is "When unreasons pass, reasons will step back."
In other words, when strong power or authority forces unreasonable demands to pass through, the thoughts of reason and justification will step back.
If forceful, unreasonable demands pass, the reason or justification may be no longer valid.
To describe such a situation, you can use the Japanese proverb, 'muri ga tōreba dōri hikkomu' (無理が通れば道理引っ込む).
Since 'muri' (無理) means "unreason," 'tōre/tōru' (通る) means "to pass," 'dōri' (道理) means "reason," and 'hikkomu' (引っ込む) means "to step back," the literal meaning of this proverb is "When unreasons pass, reasons will step back."
In other words, when strong power or authority forces unreasonable demands to pass through, the thoughts of reason and justification will step back.
無理が通れば道理引っ込む
道理に反することがまかり通ってしまうと、本来の道理や正当性が通用しなくなってしまうかもしれません。
そのことを表すことわざに、「無理が通れば道理引っ込む」があります。
「無理」は "unreason"、「通れ/通る」は "to pass"、「道理」は "reason"、「引っ込む」は "to step back" を意味するので、このことわざの文字どおりの意味は "When unreasons pass, reasons will step back" となります。
強い権力や圧力によって、本来無理なことも力で押し通されると、道理や正義の考え方が後退してしまうとうわけです。
道理に反することがまかり通ってしまうと、本来の道理や正当性が通用しなくなってしまうかもしれません。
そのことを表すことわざに、「無理が通れば道理引っ込む」があります。
「無理」は "unreason"、「通れ/通る」は "to pass"、「道理」は "reason"、「引っ込む」は "to step back" を意味するので、このことわざの文字どおりの意味は "When unreasons pass, reasons will step back" となります。
強い権力や圧力によって、本来無理なことも力で押し通されると、道理や正義の考え方が後退してしまうとうわけです。