Raku areba ku ari
If there is pleasure, there is pain
In the last lesson, we learned the expression, Raku wa ku no tane, ku wa raku no tane which means, “pleasure is the seed of suffering, suffering is the seed of pleasure.”
Here is another saying that indicates that pain and pleasure are intertwined. This is similar to the English expression that there is no pleasure without pain. This expression seems to focus more on the duality of the universe. Yin-yang, man-woman. Without light there could be no dark; without darkness there could be no light. Similarly, without pleasure there could be no pain and without pain there could be no pleasure.
Whatever the case, these two expressions are used in pretty much the same situations. Along with the good comes the bad and vice versa. You have to take the good with the bad. That's just the normal state of the universe. Most often, this expression is used as encouragement in tough times. Things might look grim now, but good things will follow. Don't give up!
If someone you know has just broken up with his or her significant other when “things were going so well,” you can offer encouragement by saying, “Raku areba ku ari desu ne.” That's life, but there are many fish in the sea and you're sure to catch one of them.
Usage note: Most Japanese sayings can be turned into complete sentences just by adding “desu” to the end. To add emphasis, add “desu yo”. To ask for agreements (think, “yeah,” “right,” “you know”), add “desu ne”.
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