Ningen Banji Saiō ga Uma

Ningen Banji Saiō ga Uma
人間万事塞翁が馬

The Japanese proverb “人間万事塞翁が馬” (Ningen Banji Saiou ga Uma) translates to “In life, good and bad fortune are intertwined, like the story of the old man and his horse.”

This proverb originates from an ancient Chinese tale from the “Huainanzi” (淮南子), a philosophical text written during the Han Dynasty. It tells the story of an old man (塞翁, Saiou) who lived near the border. One day, his horse ran away, and his neighbors pitied him, saying it was terrible luck. However, the old man calmly replied, “Who knows if this is good or bad fortune?”

Later, the horse returned, bringing with it a fine wild horse. The neighbors congratulated him on his luck, but again, the old man said, “Who knows if this is good or bad?”

Then, the old man’s son tried to ride the new horse and fell, breaking his leg. The neighbors once again sympathized, but the old man remained neutral, saying the same words.

Soon after, a war broke out, and all the young men in the village were drafted—except for the old man’s son, who was spared because of his broken leg. Many of the drafted men lost their lives in battle, while the son survived because of what initially seemed like bad luck.

This story teaches us that what seems like misfortune may later turn into fortune, and what seems like good luck may later bring trouble. In other words, life is unpredictable, and it is impossible to judge whether something is truly good or bad at the moment it happens.

This proverb reflects a deep sense of wisdom, patience, and a balanced perspective on life. It encourages people to remain calm in the face of both success and failure, understanding that fortune constantly changes.

Usage in Everyday Life
This proverb is often used when someone experiences unexpected events—both good and bad—to remind them that fortunes change and that it’s best to remain level-headed.

1. Career and Business
People often face setbacks in their careers or businesses, such as job losses, failed projects, or unexpected changes. However, these setbacks may later lead to better opportunities.

Example:
“I got rejected from my dream job. I feel like such a failure.”
“Don’t worry. ‘人間万事塞翁が馬’—maybe this rejection will lead you to an even better opportunity.”

2. Relationships and Personal Life
Sometimes, people feel devastated after a breakup or personal loss, but later realize that the event led them to something even better.

Example:
“I was heartbroken when my partner left me, but later I met someone truly amazing. Now I understand ‘人間万事塞翁が馬.'”

3. Education and Exams
Students often feel discouraged when they fail a test or don’t get into their desired school. However, later they may find a better path that suits them even more.

Example:
“I failed my university entrance exam, and I’m so disappointed.”
“But who knows? Maybe this is a blessing in disguise. ‘人間万事塞翁が馬.’ Something good may come from this.”

4. Health and Accidents
A health problem or accident might seem terrible at first but could lead to unexpected benefits, such as a lifestyle change that improves long-term well-being.

Example:
“Breaking my leg was awful, but during my recovery, I started reading and found a new passion for writing.”
“See? ‘人間万事塞翁が馬.’ Bad luck can sometimes turn into good luck.”

Nothing in life is absolutely good or bad—everything is interconnected, and today’s misfortune may lead to tomorrow’s fortune.
Emotional balance is important—by staying calm and neutral in both success and failure, we can navigate life with wisdom.
Perspective is key—what we perceive as bad luck now may turn out to be a hidden blessing in the future.
In Japan, this proverb is often used to offer comfort and encouragement in times of hardship, helping people stay hopeful and open-minded about the twists and turns of life.

Conclusion
“人間万事塞翁が馬” is a timeless proverb that reminds us that fortune and misfortune are unpredictable and constantly shifting. Instead of reacting emotionally to every success or failure, we should adopt a calm and flexible mindset, knowing that today’s hardship may be tomorrow’s blessing.

By keeping this wisdom in mind, we can approach life with greater patience, resilience, and optimism, trusting that every event—good or bad—plays a role in shaping our journey.