different meaning between Chinese people and Japanese people for this proverb.
For the chinese, people respect the modesty and learning from others.
But for the Japanese, people more respect the self-spirit.

Japanese samurai, Miyamoto musashi,said  "Everyone except myself is my teacher"我以外皆我が師
One of Japanese culture is "bushi-do", how to live as a samurai.
Japanese diligence and loyality for organization come from "bushi-do", I think.