Category Archives: Kotowaza

Book learnin’ minus brain learnin’ ain’t learnin’

Posted on November 12, 2017 by Confanity

But a rabbit-hole is just as dangerous. 学びて思わざれば則ち罔し (Manabite omowazareba sunawachi kurashi; “Study without consideration is nothing.”) Definition: No matter how much you study, if you don’t also think about the content of what you’re learning, you can’t actually reach … Continue reading →

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Rome didn’t fruit in a day

Posted on November 5, 2017 by Confanity

Still faster than truffula trees, though. 桃栗三年柿八年 (Momokuri sannen kaki hachinen; “Peach and chestnut, three years; persimmons, eight years.”) Definition: As Piet Hein said, Things Take Time. The peach and chestnut trees must grow for three years from when they … Continue reading →

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A warning

Posted on October 29, 2017 by Confanity

Or a simple observation of facts on the ground? 無理が通れば道理引っ込む (Muri ga tooreba douri hikkomu; “When unreason pushes through, reason withdraws”) Definition: In a society where irrational force carries the day, reasonable thinking breaks down – and justice does as … Continue reading →

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So you *can* make a mountain out of a molehill?

Posted on October 22, 2017 by Confanity

後は野となれ山となれ (Ato wa no to nare yama to nare; “After this, come field, come mountain.”) Definition: Not caring about what comes next as long as the current problem or issue can be finished up or taken care of. By extension, … Continue reading →

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Udo you, man

Posted on October 15, 2017 by Confanity

独活の大木 (Udo no taiboku; “A large udo tree”) Definition: Of a person, big but good for nothing. An udo plant can grow up to about two meters tall and as thick as some trees, but its flesh isn’t strong or … Continue reading →

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Elbow grease begins at home

Posted on October 8, 2017 by Confanity

Be nice to your neighbor, and you’ll attract better neighbors? 先ず隗より始めよ (Mazu Kai yori hajimeyo; “First, start with Guo Wei”) Definition: When starting a large, ambitious undertaking, it’s best to begin with what’s close at hand. By extension, it can … Continue reading →

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What would you do for your deer?

Posted on October 1, 2017 by Confanity

秋の鹿は笛に寄る (Aki no shika wa fue ni yoru; “An autumn deer approaches a whistle”) Definition: Destroying oneself for the sake of love. Alternately, being in danger or being used by others after having one’s weakness taken advantage of. From the … Continue reading →

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Buddhsplaining?

Posted on September 24, 2017 by Confanity

釈迦に説法 (Shaka ni seppou; “Lecturing the Buddha”) Definition: The foolishness of a person who knows just a little about a field trying to lecture an expert. Like delivering a sermon on Buddhism to the Buddha himself. “Teaching your grandmother to … Continue reading →

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When the cover-up actually is worse than the crime

Posted on September 17, 2017 by Confanity

李下に冠を正さず (Rika ni kanmuri wo tadasazu; “Don’t straighten your hat below a plum tree”) Definition: Don’t do things that invite suspicion or misunderstanding. Even if you’re innocent, it’s best to avoid even the accidental appearance of guilt. If you reach … Continue reading →

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Out of rain, out of brain

Posted on September 10, 2017 by Confanity

雨晴れて笠を忘れる (Ame harete kasa wo wasureru; “The rain stops and you forget your umbrella (hat)”) Definition: As soon as a painful situation is over, the help one received is forgotten. When rain is threatening or falling people make sure to … Continue reading →

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