This time, Inamori* spoke about the above motto in Kyocera philosophy.
What Inamori said is quoted with “”.
“ Courage is not recklessness, nor the kind of rough, fearless bravery often attributed to strong-willed individuals. True courage is cultivated by those who, while upholding their convictions, carry restraint and understand fear, may be timid at heart but have gained strength through real-life experience.
When faced with adversity, we are often tempted to compromise and abandon our original convictions. That is why we must ignite within ourselves a fierce fighting spirit—a resolve that, no matter how painful or difficult the path may be, we will never give in and will see it through to the end. “
In this message, I would like to analyze what it truly means to have “real courage“. All of us feel fear when we are asked to confront our weaknesses or deficits. Especially when someone else points them out, we unintentionally tend to protect ourselves, we spontaneously ignore those points and run away rather than face them head-on. However, we need “courage to confront our weaknesses” that allows us to grow as human beings and rise to a higher stage of our own potential.
The courage to face our shortcomings arises from three essential attitudes:
1. A firm decision to change our lives
2. A relentless fighting spirit — never giving up, no matter the obstacles
3. Humility and thoughtful consideration for others
Let me explain them one by one.
1. A firm decision to change our lives
“ When we choose the easy way out, we inevitably look back and regret it, saying, ‘In that moment, I should have taken the harder path—I should have faced the challenge instead of running away. I didn’t have the courage, so I eventually failed.’ ”
→ Whether we choose to confront our weaknesses or run away depends entirely on how seriously we desire to change our lives. A life of avoidance may seem easy, but it only leads to the same disappointing results. However, if we truly wish to live a better life—in other words, if we pursue fulfillment—we must face our weaknesses and the unpleasant truths we’ve created for ourselves.
To do that, we need a firm decision: “I must improve and change my life“. Without that decision, we end up excusing ourselves for not facing our shortcomings. A clear decision gives us the strength to confront ourselves and begin transforming who we are.
2. A relentless fighting spirit — never giving up, no matter the obstacles
” ’Fighting spirit’ does not mean the desire to defeat others. Just look at the weeds and wild grasses along the roadside. They stretch their leaves upward, competing for sunlight, performing photosynthesis as earnestly as they can, storing nutrients to endure harsh winters—waiting quietly for the return of spring. Even the smallest of plants is doing its best to live. And yet, they are not trying to beat the grass next to them. They are simply reaching for the light in front of them, doing the best they can to grow. “
→ Those who keep running away—who can’t face their flaws—often misunderstand what fighting spirit really means. They cling to pride, unwilling to lose, and so they avoid difficulty at all costs. In trying to protect their pride, they continually choose the easier path, unaware that they are troubling others in the process.
And still, they convince themselves they are “living seriously.”Instead of turning their inner fire toward their own weaknesses, they direct it at the people who challenge them. “I’m right—why are you trying to change me?” they cry, shaking off the guiding hand that reaches out to help them, and flee once again.
But if nothing changes, the outcome will always remain the same. If you’ve truly made the decision to change, then be like the grass by the roadside— face the difficulty, face your weaknesses, and stretch toward the light. That is where your fighting spirit belongs: not against others, but against the weakness within yourself.
3. Humility and thoughtful consideration for others
“ Even if you don’t believe you have what it takes… I want you to feel this sense of mission: that if you’ve inherited a company your parents built, or are responsible for the people who work there—then no matter what happens, you must protect them. ”
→ The courage not to run away begins with humble self-reflection. When we believe we’re right, or think we’ve done nothing wrong, we become blind to our own flaws. We fail to see how much trouble our shortcomings may have caused others, and how much kindness and compassion those around us have offered to make up for our faults.
Everything starts with the willingness to look at ourselves objectively, to be humble, and to reflect sincerely. Those who misdirect their fighting spirit are often those who have lost this humility — the ability to say, “Maybe I’m wrong,” or “Maybe I’ve been causing more harm than I realized.”
In the end, true courage is the courage to correct our own flaws. It is born from the decision to change, the determination to live earnestly, and the humility to recognize the compassion others have shown us.
This is what we truly need in order to overcome our weaknesses and transform our lives.
* Mr. Kazuo Inamori, the founder of Kyocera, KDDI (one of the top tele communication companies in Japan) and the top of revitalization project of JAL. As a well-known Japanese entrepreneur, he has been sharing his experiences and management know-how with managements of small to middle companies in Japan.
Further queries or doubts, please email to ytomizuka@abrilsjp.com
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