# ねだるな、勝ち取れ、さすれば与えられん。
Do not beg for it. Win it, and then it shall be given to you.
I first heard this line during my junior year of college, while studying abroad in Japan and watching the anime Eureka Seven. What initially caught my attention as a striking piece of dialogue has since become a personal motto.
Widely associated with the 2005 series—specifically attributed to the character Adroc Thurston—the quote serves as the ideological backbone of the story. But beyond its fictional origins, the phrase has endured because of its linguistic structure and its uncompromising stance on human agency.
It refuses passivity. It does not suggest waiting, wishing, or hoping for circumstances to align. It simply states: if something matters, you must prove you can carry its weight.
# The Linguistic Anatomy of the Phrase
Even without a perfect word-for-word English translation, the structural and emotional weight of the original Japanese is powerful. It breaks down into three distinct, imperative acts:
- ねだるな (Nedaru na): A negative imperative. "Do not beg" or "Do not plead." It specifically rejects the attitude of a child asking for an unearned favor or acting entitled to a result.
- 勝ち取れ (Kachitore): A strong command. "Win it" or "Seize it." It implies that the objective must be secured through direct effort, struggle, or merit.
- さすれば与えられん (Sasuraba ataeraren): A conditional promise written in a slightly archaic, formal tone. "Then, and only then, it will be granted to you."
The quote is not about blind aggression; it is about self-determination. It outlines a clear sequence of events: value does not stem from passive desire. Desire is merely the starting point. The outcome depends entirely on the conversion of that desire into action.
# A Structural Echo
What makes this quote particularly fascinating from a literary perspective is how it borrows the cadence of a famous Biblical expression to deliver a completely different kind of message.
In the Gospel of Matthew 7:7, the verse reads: “Ask, and it will be given to you.” In older, traditional Japanese translations, this is written as 「求めよ、さらば与えられん」 (Motomeyo, saraba ataeraren).
The anime phrase adopts the exact solemn, scriptural rhythm of this verse, but pivots the subject from spiritual grace to personal agency. While the original verse speaks to faith and the posture of the soul—trusting that sincere seeking will be answered—the anime’s adaptation speaks to the posture of our actions in the physical world.
It takes the familiar, comforting rhythm and uses it to frame a rigorous demand for human effort. This structural parallel is exactly what makes the line so unforgettable.
# The Evolution of "Winning"
When encountering this phrase for the first time, it is easy to read it simply as a call to hyper-competitiveness: work harder, defeat others, and claim your prize.
However, a closer look reveals a more mature interpretation. “Winning” does not necessarily mean engaging in a zero-sum game against someone else. More often, it is about overcoming internal friction:
- Defeating one's own hesitation, laziness, or self-doubt.
- Staying consistent when no one is watching.
- Becoming the kind of person who is actually capable of handling an opportunity when it finally arrives.
In this sense, the quote is not advocating for arrogance. It is a call for radical responsibility.
# A Philosophy for Action
We are often surrounded by comforting platitudes telling us that things will work out if we just wait, or that we inherently deserve the things we want. This quote offers no such comfort, and that is exactly why it is valuable.
A strong guiding principle should not just sound inspiring; it should demand something of the person who adopts it. Since that junior year in Japan, whether navigating the unfamiliarity of a new environment or the current rigorous demands of daily life and work, this line has remained my baseline.
It serves as a constant reminder not to wait for permission, not to rely on luck, and never to confuse the act of wanting with the act of doing.
Don’t beg. Earn it.