The Nine Wise Monkeys: A Playful Guide to a Powerful Life

 

The Nine Wise Monkeys: A Playful Guide to a Powerful Life

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 six new monkeys—fresh off the philosophical jungle vine: Do No Evil, Think No Evil, Feel All Good, Give Freely, Walk Humbly, and Play Often. You might not have seen them before, but once you meet them, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them.

Together, these nine wise 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, think, feel, give, play, and how we walk through life. That’s a holistic moral compass. It’s both reflective and active, inward and outward.

So, let’s swing into their story and meet them all.

The Tale of the Nine Wise Monkeys

Once upon a time, in a peaceful forest nestled between mountains, there lived nine 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 they weren’t alone. Six lesser-known monkey siblings also lived in the treetops: Kozaru, who pressed his hands together in front of his chest and bowed his head—he embodied Do No Evil. Omowazaru placed his index fingers gently on his temples, eyes closed, symbolizing Think No Evil. Then there was Kanjiru-zaru, who placed both hands over his heart to express Feel All Good. Ataeru-zaru extended both palms outward, offering what he had, as the monkey who lived to Give Freely. Hikaeme-zaru, the humble one, bowed slightly with one hand on his heart and the other behind his back to Walk Humbly. And finally, Asobu-zaru, the playful one, danced joyfully with a foot lifted and hands mid-clap, reminding all to Play Often.

Together, these nine 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.

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. Omowazaru 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.

Kanjiru-zaru brought joy and gratitude, feeling deeply and honestly, encouraging others to embrace emotional honesty. Ataeru-zaru lived for others, giving time, help, and kindness wherever he could. Hikaeme-zaru reminded everyone to be teachable, gentle, and strong in silence. And Asobu-zaru? He brought laughter, light-heartedness and reminded everyone not to take life too seriously.

The nine monkeys didn’t just teach values—they lived them. Soon, the forest became the most peaceful, joyful, and fun 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 six 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?

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.

Then comes Feel All Good. Kanjiru-zaru reminds us to be emotionally rich, to live in gratitude, to love deeply and live presently. Your heart is your compass. Let it feel what’s good and true.

Give Freely inspires us to break out of scarcity thinking. Whether it’s your time, energy, money, or kindness—you always have something to give. Giving creates connection and heals.

Walk Humbly reminds us that loud isn't always right. Humility is strength under control. It listens more than it speaks, admits when it's wrong, and honors others.

And Play Often completes the circle. Asobu-zaru reminds us that joy, laughter, creativity, and spontaneity are as essential to life as wisdom and kindness. Play recharges us, connects us, and gives color to the canvas of our days.

Together, the nine monkeys offer not just restraint from evil but active pursuit of a beautiful life. They ask us to look inward and outward, to reflect and to act, to love and to lead—and to dance a little along the way. They are a full-circle map for living with wisdom, compassion, joy, and fun.

So the next time life starts to feel like a circus, remember the nine 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.”
“Think with love.”
“Feel with honesty.”
“Give with joy.”
“Walk with humility.”
“Play with wonder.”

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