The Five Wise Monkeys: A Fresh Take on Ancient Wisdom

The Five Wise Monkeys: A Fresh Take on Ancient Wisdom

Introduction: Monkeys, Mischief, and a Message for the Modern World

You’ve probably seen them before—those three adorable monkeys sitting in a row, one covering his eyes, the next his ears, and the last his mouth. Together, they deliver a silent but powerful message: “See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.” You’ll find them carved into temples in Japan, printed on T-shirts, and even meme-ified online. They’ve crossed continents and cultures, making their way from ancient Eastern philosophy to Western pop culture with ease. But have you ever paused to really think about what these three monkeys are telling us? And what if—just maybe—three monkeys aren’t quite enough?

Let’s start with the originals. The “Three Wise Monkeys” are traditionally attributed to Confucian or Buddhist teachings, though they gained much of their popularity from a 17th-century carving at the Tōshō-gū shrine in Nikkō, Japan. They are often misunderstood as encouraging people to ignore evil altogether, to bury their heads in the sand. But that’s not quite right. These monkeys are more about mastering yourself—what you let into your mind, what you speak into the world, and what you choose to believe.

The first monkey, covering his eyes, is a symbol of discipline—refusing to fixate on the ugly, the negative, or the toxic. The second, covering his ears, reminds us not to let in the chaos—the gossip, slander, and hate speech that pollute the mind. And the third, covering his mouth, teaches restraint: choosing words that heal rather than harm, build up rather than break down.

But in our fast-moving, always-on, outrage-fueled world, these three alone may no longer be enough. Enter two new monkeys—fresh off the philosophical jungle vine: Do No Evil and Think No Evil. You might not have seen them before, but once you meet them, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them.

The fourth monkey, Do No Evil, reminds us that morality isn’t passive—it’s active. It’s not just about what we avoid but also what we choose to do. Our actions have consequences, and our choices ripple outward, shaping the world far beyond what we can see. This monkey isn’t hiding behind his hands. He’s rolling up his sleeves and living with intention.

The fifth and final monkey, Think No Evil, goes even deeper. Our thoughts create our inner world, and our inner world shapes everything we do. This wise monkey asks: What are you feeding your mind? Are you harboring bitterness, envy, resentment, or judgment? The battle for a better world begins in the quiet of your own thoughts.

So, why expand the trio to a quintet? Because wisdom evolves. Because the world is more complicated than ever. And because if we want to raise children with values, lead lives of integrity, and become better humans—not just quieter ones—we need a complete toolkit. Five monkeys. Five messages. One powerful path to wisdom.

Let’s swing into their story and see what we can learn.

The Tale of the Five Wise Monkeys

Once upon a time, in a peaceful forest nestled between mountains, there lived five peculiar monkeys who were known far and wide for their unusual behavior. The first three were well known: Mizaru, who covered his eyes; Kikazaru, who covered his ears; and Iwazaru, who covered his mouth. They were inseparable, like the original moral emojis, spreading the message: See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.

But in this version of the story, they weren’t alone. Two lesser-known monkey siblings also lived in the treetops: Kozaru, who clasped his hands together as if in prayer—he was the monkey who embodied Do No Evil. And finally, there was Omowazaru, who rested his hands gently on his temples, reminding others to Think No Evil.

Together, the five wise monkeys became the forest’s moral compass. When arguments broke out among the animals, Iwazaru gently reminded them to speak kindly. When rumors and bad news spread like wildfire, Kikazaru encouraged calm by refusing to listen to lies. When predators crept too close or injustice was seen, Mizaru looked away—not to ignore it, but to stay focused on the good and not let darkness steal the joy of the day.

But it was Kozaru who kept the peace by choosing not to strike back when provoked. He helped those in need, lifted the fallen, and lived by example. And Omowazaru? He reminded everyone that even silent, hidden thoughts have power. For hatred unspoken is still hatred. Resentment felt but never voiced can still rot the heart.

The five monkeys didn’t just teach values—they lived them. And soon, the forest became the most peaceful place in all the land.

Conclusion: The Wisdom in the Jungle

So what does this playful troop of monkeys have to teach us?

Plenty.

In a world of nonstop headlines, clickbait outrage, and digital shouting matches, the original three monkeys are still powerful. We could all stand to see a little less evil, hear a little less trash talk, and speak a little more kindness. But if we stop there, we risk becoming passive—good intentioned, but ineffective. That’s where our two new monkeys come in.

Do No Evil challenges us to take action. Avoiding evil isn’t the same as doing good. It’s not enough to stay silent when wrongs are being done or to pretend not to notice suffering. Kozaru would ask: What are you doing to make things better? Are you stepping in? Standing up? Lifting others? Do No Evil is a call to engaged goodness—morality in motion.

Think No Evil hits even closer to home. It’s the reminder we all need that evil doesn’t start with action—it starts with thought. That bitter narrative you keep replaying? That judgment you pass in private? That jealousy you harbor? Omowazaru would tell you: Clear your mental attic. Clean it out. If you want a good life, start with good thoughts. Replace the negative with gratitude. Swap suspicion for trust. Exchange judgment for compassion.

Together, the five monkeys offer more than ancient wisdom—they offer complete wisdom. They tell us that to live well, we must watch what we see, hear, say, do, and even think. That’s a holistic moral compass. It’s both reflective and active, inward and outward.

In a way, the monkeys mirror the best of human potential: Self-control. Discernment. Courage. Compassion. And most importantly—consciousness. They’re not just about avoiding evil; they’re about becoming good. Not because someone is watching. Not for reward. But because it’s right.

So the next time life starts to feel like a circus, remember the five monkeys. Picture them hanging out in the branches above you, whispering their little reminders:

“See the good.” “Hear the truth.” “Speak kindness.” “Do what's right.” “And think with love.”

Wisdom doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, all it takes is a few monkeys to remind us how to be human.