Tag Archives: 易経

The best lover is one who breaks your spine

A book lover breaking your book’s spine, I mean. 葦編三絶i.hen.san.zetsu Literally: reed – braid – three – sever Alternately: Reading the same book over and over again. Close, careful, and frequent reading of a text. Notes: Think of a text … Continue reading

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An ounce of prevention is worth….

Buy it when prevention is cheap, not when cure is costly 治に居て乱を忘れず (Chi ni ite ran wo wasurezu; “In peace, do not forget strife”) Definition: Even in times of peace and safety, it’s still necessary to plan ahead in case … Continue reading

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Pull your sheep, a good life to keep

牽羊悔亡 ken.you.kai.bou Literally: pull / lead – sheep – regret – perish Alternately: You’ll be unhappy unless you take an active part in shaping things. If you see something through properly instead of just letting it run its natural course, … Continue reading

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Reverse the order for Biblical time

Something birds, something stones? 一朝一夕 i-.cchou.i-.sseki Literally: one – morning – one – evening Alternately: A single day. By extension, a brief and fleeting span of time. Often used in a negative structure to express that something can’t be done … Continue reading

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What distant deeps or skies

Don’t you ever look away. 虎視眈眈 ko.shi.tan.tan Literally: tiger – look – watch intently – watch intently Alternately: Vigilantly awaiting an opportunity. Watching intently for an opening. Like a tiger, lying still and staring down its intended prey as it … Continue reading

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The wise prince changes his panther?

君子豹変 kun.shi.hyou.hen Literally: ruler/mister – child – leopard – change Alternately: Originally: a wise person changes with changing circumstances; a wise person is quick to recognize their errors and change for the better. In modern usage, the phrase has taken … Continue reading

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