The East is a subtle thing. To see this once and for all, you only need to notice how Japanese sages live and what they believe.
Some truly brilliant lines from Japanese thinkers will make you see the world from a completely different angle. AdmiGram.com brings you a distilled collection of Japanese wisdom expressed in a few vivid phrases.
Sayings of Japanese Sages That Help You Understand Life
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- Give way to fools and madmen.
- Do not fear bending a little — you will stand straighter afterward.
- If a woman truly wants something, she will pass through rock.
- Better to be the enemy of a good person than the friend of a bad one.
- Without ordinary people, there are no great ones.
- Fast means slow — but without pauses.
- A husband and wife should be like hand and eyes: when the hand hurts, the eyes cry; when the eyes cry, the hands wipe the tears.
- Even a long journey begins with what is near.
- Whoever strongly desires to rise will invent a ladder.
- The sun knows neither right nor wrong. It shines without the intention of warming anyone. One who finds oneself is like the sun.
- He who drinks does not know the harm of wine; he who does not drink does not know its benefits.
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- The sea is great because it does not disdain small rivers.
- Even if you need a sword only once in your life, carry it always.
- When there is love, smallpox scars are as beautiful as dimples.
- Beautiful flowers do not always bear good fruit.
- Sorrow, like a torn garment, should be left at home.
- One kind word can warm three winter months.
- No one stumbles while lying in bed.
- Test seven times before doubting a person.
- Cold tea and cold rice are tolerable, but a cold look and a cold word are unbearable.
- If a problem can be solved, there is no need to worry; if it cannot be solved, worrying is useless.
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- Happiness enters a house where there is laughter.
- Victory belongs to the one who endures half an hour longer than the opponent.
- Excessive honesty borders on foolishness.
- Sometimes a leaf sinks while a stone floats.
- No arrow is shot at a smiling face.
- Do all you can, and trust fate for the rest.
- At ten — a miracle, at twenty — a genius, after thirty — an ordinary person.
- Think, then decide; once decided, do not think again.
- To ask is shame for a moment; not to know is shame for life.
- A perfect vase never comes from the hands of a poor master.
- Do not hold back one who leaves; do not drive away one who comes.
- Deep rivers flow quietly.
