Proverb / Kotowaza
いつも月夜と米の飯
Ideal, comfortable conditions will not continue forever.
Always a moonlit night and a meal of white rice.
Quick Answer
Ideal, comfortable conditions will not continue forever.
- Literal Image
- Always a moonlit night and a meal of white rice.
- Closest Equivalent
- Every day is not Sunday.
- How to Use It
- Used to caution someone against expecting favorable situations to last forever, or to advise moderation and frugality during periods of good fortune.
Meaning
This proverb warns that comfortable and affluent times, compared to a bright moonlit night and a meal of white rice, cannot last indefinitely. It serves as a reminder against becoming too accustomed to luxury or harboring naive expectations about the future. Because favorable conditions are temporary, one should remain grounded and prepared for less ideal circumstances.
Literal Image
Always a moonlit night and a meal of white rice.
Equivalent Proverbs
Every day is not Sunday.
Both warn that days of rest or ideal conditions are not constant.
Every day is not a holiday.
Shares the sentiment that special, favorable days are exceptions rather than the rule.
How to Use It
Used to caution someone against expecting favorable situations to last forever, or to advise moderation and frugality during periods of good fortune.
Tone
Cautionary and moralizing.
Examples
いつも月夜と米の飯というわけにはいかない。節約を心がけて生活しなければならない。
We cannot expect every day to be a moonlit night and a meal of white rice. We must be mindful to live frugally.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
The vocabulary (moonlit night, rice, meal) is basic, but understanding the metaphorical contrast of historical luxury versus reality requires idiomatic comprehension.
いつも
いつも / itsumo
always
月夜
つきよ / tsukiyo
moonlit night
米の飯
こめのめし / kome no meshi
meal of white rice
Usage Profile
Usage note: This expression cautions against naive optimism, so use it carefully to avoid sounding overly pessimistic to someone who is simply enjoying a good moment.
Misread Risk
Do not interpret this merely as a statement about dietary preferences or nighttime weather; it is a metaphor for an ideal, luxurious lifestyle.
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Origin
The proverb draws on historical context where a moonlit night was comfortable because it was not completely dark, and a meal of white rice was considered a luxury. It uses these images to illustrate the reality that favorable conditions do not continue indefinitely.
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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.