Proverb / Kotowaza
忠臣は二君に仕えず
A truly loyal person remains committed to one master and does not serve another.
A loyal subject does not serve two masters
Quick Answer
A truly loyal person remains committed to one master and does not serve another.
- Literal Image
- A loyal subject does not serve two masters
- How to Use It
- Used to describe or praise someone's steadfast loyalty to a single organization, leader, or cause.
Meaning
This proverb teaches the importance of maintaining unwavering loyalty once a vow has been made. It suggests that a sincere subordinate or follower will not change their allegiance, even if their original leader or circumstances change.
Literal Image
A loyal subject does not serve two masters
How to Use It
Used to describe or praise someone's steadfast loyalty to a single organization, leader, or cause.
Tone
Formal and literary, reflecting traditional values of honor and loyalty.
Examples
会社を辞めた後も前の会社の機密を守り続けた。忠臣は二君に仕えずを地でいく行動だ。
Even after leaving the company, he continued to protect their secrets; his actions were a perfect example of the saying that a loyal subject does not serve two masters.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
The use of the classical negative ending 'zu' and formal kanji compounds like 'chushin' and 'nikun' make this a more advanced literary expression.
忠臣
ちゅうしん / chushin
loyal subject; devoted retainer
二君
にくん / nikun
two masters; two lords
仕えず
つかえず / tsukaezu
does not serve (classical negative form)
Usage Profile
Usage note: In modern corporate contexts, excessive loyalty can sometimes be viewed as being inflexible or 'old-fashioned'.
Misread Risk
Do not confuse this with a literal ban on changing jobs; it refers to the ethical principle of not betraying one's original allegiance or commitment.
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Related Proverbs
Origin
Derived from Chinese classics, this expression stems from the belief that a truly loyal subject will not serve another ruler even if their original lord's house falls or they are defeated. This concept was deeply integrated into the spirit of Japanese Bushido (the way of the warrior).
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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.