壁に耳あり、障子に目あり
2026-08-11
Behave as If You Are Being Watched
壁に耳あり、障子に目あり — Kabe ni mimi ari, shōji ni me ari
There is an old Japanese saying:
壁に耳あり、障子に目あり
“Walls have ears, and shoji screens have eyes.”
“Walls have ears, and shoji screens have eyes.”
Traditionally, it warns us that even when we believe nobody is listening or watching, someone may be.
But I think there is a more positive way to understand it.
Behave as if you are always being watched.
Your character is not determined by how you behave in front of customers, your boss, or your family. It is revealed by what you do when you believe nobody will know.
Do you return the shopping cart?
Do you admit a mistake nobody noticed?
Do you keep a promise when breaking it would have no consequences?
Do you admit a mistake nobody noticed?
Do you keep a promise when breaking it would have no consequences?
Today, with smartphones, cameras, social media, emails, and digital records, very little remains completely private anyway.
But the real reason to behave well should not be fear of getting caught.
Live as if someone is watching—then build the character that behaves the same way when nobody is.
Disclaimer: I use AI as a tool to help create images and proofread my writing. However, the ideas, opinions, experiences, and messages in my posts are my own. AI does not generate my posts for me. It simply helps me present my own words and ideas more clearly.
Kenichi Uchikura
Founder & CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc. (PSPINC)
ken.uchikura@pspinc.com
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Kenichi Uchikura is a Japanese-American entrepreneur and founder of PSPINC. Through this blog, he shares stories and insights about Japanese history, culture, traditions, business, technology, and everyday life. His goal is to help readers better understand Japan, its people, and the values that continue to shape Japanese society today.
ABOUT PSPINC
PSPINC (Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.), headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, was founded in 1987 and has been providing internet technology services since 1997. PSPINC offers web hosting, email hosting, software development, IT support, cloud solutions, and digital marketing services. The company operates infrastructure in the United States and Japan and supports businesses worldwide with reliable technology and bilingual service.
For Service & Inquiries
Call: 1-800-232-3989 or 425-957-0808
Email: info@pspinc.com
Web: www.pspinc.com
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..
Kenichi Uchikura
Founder & CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc. (PSPINC)
ken.uchikura@pspinc.com
X (Twitter) |
Facebook |
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Kenichi Uchikura is a Japanese-American entrepreneur and founder of PSPINC. Through this blog, he shares stories and insights about Japanese history, culture, traditions, business, technology, and everyday life. His goal is to help readers better understand Japan, its people, and the values that continue to shape Japanese society today.
ABOUT PSPINC
PSPINC (Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.), headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, was founded in 1987 and has been providing internet technology services since 1997. PSPINC offers web hosting, email hosting, software development, IT support, cloud solutions, and digital marketing services. The company operates infrastructure in the United States and Japan and supports businesses worldwide with reliable technology and bilingual service.
For Service & Inquiries
Call: 1-800-232-3989 or 425-957-0808
Email: info@pspinc.com
Web: www.pspinc.com
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..