Yoshida Kenkō: Matter

Yoshida Kenkō was japanese writer. Explore interesting quotes on matter.

Yoshida Kenkō: 62 quotes2 likes

“Things which seem in poor taste: too many personal effects cluttering up the place where one is sitting; too many brushes in an ink-box; too many Buddhas in a family temple; too many stones and plants in a garden; too many children in a house; too many words on meeting someone; too many meritorious deeds recorded in a petition. Things which are not offensive, no matter how numerous: books in a book cart, rubbish in a rubbish heap.”

72
Essays in Idleness (1967 Columbia University Press, Trns: Donald Keene)

“A man who would be a success the world must first of all be a judge of moods, for untimely speeches will offend the ears and hurt the feelings of others, and so fail in their purpose. He has to beware of such occasions.
But falling sick and bearing children and dying — these things take no account of moods. They do not cease because they are untimely. The shifting changes of birth, life, sickness, and death, the real great matters — these are like the surging flow of a fierce torrent, which delays not for an instant but straightway pursues its course.
And so, for both priest and layman, there must be no talk of moods in things they must needs accomplish. They must be free from this care and that, they must not let their feet linger.”

Tsurezure-Gusa (Essays in Idleness)

“He is of low understanding who spends a whole life irked by common worldly matters.”

Tsurezure-Gusa (Essays in Idleness)

“If a man strictly observe the rules of his way, and keep a rein on himself, then no matter what way it be, he will be a scholar of renown and be a teacher of multitudes.”

Tsurezure-Gusa (Essays in Idleness)

“It is popular superstitions uncritically, but to dismiss them as being "most improbable" serves no purpose. In general, the best course is to treat such matters as if they were true, neither giving one's unqualified belief nor doubting or mocking them.”

73
Essays in Idleness (1967 Columbia University Press, Trns: Donald Keene)