Japanese meaning of 無理が通れば道理引っ込む
Reading:
むりがとおればどうりひっこむ (muri ga tōreba dōri hikkomu)
English Translation:
Might makes right
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
Might makes right.
力や権力が正義を押しのけるという意味。
Cultural Context:
Often used in Japanese political discourse; the idea parallels historical feudal power struggles.
日本の政治論評で使われることが多く、歴史的には戦国時代などの権力闘争とも重なる考え方。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• 無理 (muri) = “unreasonableness” or “injustice” (noun)
• が (ga) = subject marker
• 通れば (tooreba) = conditional form of 通る (tooru, “to go through/pass”)
• 道理 (dōri) = “reason” or “logic” (noun)
• 引っ込む (hikkomu) = “to withdraw” (verb, plain form)
Two conditional clauses in parallel, with contrasting subjects, to express reversal of norms.
Trap for English Speakers
Could be taken as endorsing force over logic, instead of noting power overriding reason.
Example
Basic Example
権力で押し切られたら、無理が通れば道理引っ込む、だね。
When power bulldozes through, it’s a case of Might makes right.
Applied Example
魔王の命令が絶対なら、無理が通れば道理引っ込む世界だ。
In the demon lord’s realm, Might makes right.