悪木盗泉（Akuboku tōsen）Reject what is wrong — even when it benefits you. words to live by T-Shirt 0526
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¥3,844
Sale price
¥3,844
Regular price
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悪木盗泉
Akuboku tōsen
A bad tree and a stolen spring.
Reject what is wrong — even when it benefits you.
The phrase “Akuboku tōsen” (悪木盗泉) comes from a story of a man who refused to rest under a “bad tree” or drink from a “stolen spring,” even when he was exhausted and thirsty.
He chose principle over relief.
Most people don’t face dramatic moral decisions.
They face small ones.
Convenient shortcuts.
Minor compromises.
Justifications that feel harmless.
No one notices.
Nothing seems to break.
But something does.
Standards shift.
Each small exception makes the next one easier.
Over time, what once felt wrong becomes normal.
This is how integrity erodes.
Not in one moment —
but through accumulation.
“Akuboku tōsen” draws a hard boundary.
If it is wrong, you do not use it.
Even if it helps.
Even if it is easy.
Even if no one sees.
This is not about purity.
It is about consistency.
Because once your standard becomes flexible,
your decisions lose alignment.
And without alignment,
trust — in yourself and from others — begins to decay.
Integrity is not tested in ideal conditions.
It is tested when compromise is useful.
That is the point.
You do not prove principle when it costs nothing.
You prove it when it costs something.
Most people optimize for outcome.
“Akuboku tōsen” optimizes for structure.
Because outcomes fluctuate.
Structure persists.
And in the long run,
structure determines where you end up.
You've now found the staple t-shirt of your wardrobe. It's made of 100% ring-spun cotton and is soft and comfy. The double stitching on the neckline and sleeves add more durability to what is sure to be a favorite!
• 100% ring-spun cotton
• Sport Grey is 90% ring-spun cotton, 10% polyester
• All Heather colors are 65% polyester, 35% cotton
• 4.5 oz/yd² (153 g/m²)
• Shoulder-to-shoulder taping
• Quarter-turned to avoid crease down the center
• Blank product sourced from Bangladesh, Nicaragua, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Haiti or Guatemala
Disclaimer: Due to the fabric properties, the White color variant may appear off-white rather than bright white.
This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it takes us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions!
Age restrictions: For adults
EU Warranty: 2 years
Other compliance information: Meets the flammability, lead, cadmium, phthalates and formaldehyde level requirements.
In compliance with the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), Oak inc. and SINDEN VENTURES LIMITED ensure that all consumer products offered are safe and meet EU standards. For any product safety related inquiries or concerns, please contact our EU representative at gpsr@sindenventures.com. You can also write to us at 123 Main Street, Anytown, Country or Markou Evgenikou 11, Mesa Geitonia, 4002, Limassol, Cyprus.
悪木盗泉（Akuboku tōsen）Reject what is wrong — even when it benefits you. words to live by T-Shirt 0526
¥3,844
Sale price
¥3,844
Regular price
Akuboku tōsen
A bad tree and a stolen spring.
Reject what is wrong — even when it benefits you.
The phrase “Akuboku tōsen” (悪木盗泉) comes from a story of a man who refused to rest under a “bad tree” or drink from a “stolen spring,” even when he was exhausted and thirsty.
He chose principle over relief.
Most people don’t face dramatic moral decisions.
They face small ones.
Convenient shortcuts.
Minor compromises.
Justifications that feel harmless.
No one notices.
Nothing seems to break.
But something does.
Standards shift.
Each small exception makes the next one easier.
Over time, what once felt wrong becomes normal.
This is how integrity erodes.
Not in one moment —
but through accumulation.
“Akuboku tōsen” draws a hard boundary.
If it is wrong, you do not use it.
Even if it helps.
Even if it is easy.
Even if no one sees.
This is not about purity.
It is about consistency.
Because once your standard becomes flexible,
your decisions lose alignment.
And without alignment,
trust — in yourself and from others — begins to decay.
Integrity is not tested in ideal conditions.
It is tested when compromise is useful.
That is the point.
You do not prove principle when it costs nothing.
You prove it when it costs something.
Most people optimize for outcome.
“Akuboku tōsen” optimizes for structure.
Because outcomes fluctuate.
Structure persists.
And in the long run,
structure determines where you end up.
You've now found the staple t-shirt of your wardrobe. It's made of 100% ring-spun cotton and is soft and comfy. The double stitching on the neckline and sleeves add more durability to what is sure to be a favorite!
• 100% ring-spun cotton
• Sport Grey is 90% ring-spun cotton, 10% polyester
• All Heather colors are 65% polyester, 35% cotton
• 4.5 oz/yd² (153 g/m²)
• Shoulder-to-shoulder taping
• Quarter-turned to avoid crease down the center
• Blank product sourced from Bangladesh, Nicaragua, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Haiti or Guatemala
Disclaimer: Due to the fabric properties, the White color variant may appear off-white rather than bright white.
This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it takes us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions!
Age restrictions: For adults
EU Warranty: 2 years
Other compliance information: Meets the flammability, lead, cadmium, phthalates and formaldehyde level requirements.
In compliance with the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), Oak inc. and SINDEN VENTURES LIMITED ensure that all consumer products offered are safe and meet EU standards. For any product safety related inquiries or concerns, please contact our EU representative at gpsr@sindenventures.com. You can also write to us at 123 Main Street, Anytown, Country or Markou Evgenikou 11, Mesa Geitonia, 4002, Limassol, Cyprus.