Proverb / Kotowaza
伐性の斧
A metaphor for temptations or vices that destroy a person's inherent good nature or natural talents.
An axe that cuts down one's nature
Quick Answer
A metaphor for temptations or vices that destroy a person's inherent good nature or natural talents.
- Literal Image
- An axe that cuts down one's nature
- How to Use It
- Used to describe or warn against destructive habits, addictions, or temptations that ruin someone's potential or character.
Meaning
This expression compares vices such as excessive drinking, lust, or greed to an axe that fells a person's innate virtues. It serves as a warning against indulging in pleasures or habits that lead to moral corruption or the ruin of one's natural gifts and character.
Literal Image
An axe that cuts down one's nature
How to Use It
Used to describe or warn against destructive habits, addictions, or temptations that ruin someone's potential or character.
Tone
Formal and cautionary; can be used in a literary or serious context to critique moral decay.
Examples
若い才能を潰す賭博は、まさに伐性の斧と言うべきだろう。
Gambling, which destroys young talent, should truly be called an axe that cuts down one's nature.
彼の天賦の才も度を越した飲酒という伐性の斧によって台無しになった。
His natural talent was also ruined by the axe of excessive drinking.
過度なSNS依存は現代の伐性の斧かもしれない。
Excessive social media addiction might be the modern-day axe that destroys our nature.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
The proverb uses formal kanji and is a literary 'kojiseigo' (idiom derived from Chinese classics) not used in daily conversation.
伐
ばつ / batsu
felling; cutting down
性
せい / sei
nature; character; innate quality
斧
おの / ono
axe
Usage Profile
Usage note: This is a very formal expression and might sound overly dramatic in casual conversation.
Misread Risk
It does not refer to literal axes or physical destruction; it specifically targets the erosion of character and natural gifts.
Search As
Related Proverbs
Origin
Derived from the 'Bunsheng' (本生) chapter of the Chinese classic Lüshi Chunqiu (吕氏春秋). The term 'bassei' (伐性) literally means to hack down one's nature. Ancient Chinese thinkers used the axe as a metaphor for things like wine, lust, and greed that destroy the virtuous qualities humans are born with. This concept was later introduced to Japan through Confucian studies.
Index
Topics, Situations, and Tags
Topics
Situations
Tags
Source Note
Where did this entry get its data from? The reference links are listed below. To understand how to read this section, see Data Sources.