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Tag Archives: 淮南子
A leaf on the wind; watch how it soars
一葉落ちて天下の秋を知る (Ichiyou ochite tenka no aki wo shiru; “A leaf falls, and one knows autumn”) Definition: Sensing something big coming on from a relatively minor hint. Understanding the future from the very first signs. Like realizing that fall is on … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged autumn, 秋を知る, 落ち葉, glimpses of the future, omens and portents, 桐一葉, 淮南子, 一葉
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Much travel makes the boatman hoarse
The American version: 車車車車 南船北馬 nan.sen.hoku.ba Literally: south – boat – north – horse Alternately: Going from one place to the next without stop or rest. Always on the go. Wandering restlessly, or traveling busily. Notes: This compound comes to … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Uncategorized, Yojijukugo
Tagged busy, Huainanzi, travel, whole country, 北馬, 南船, 新幹線, 淮南子
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Three men CAN keep a secret
…if they’re tzaddikim and the secret is hidden helpfulness 陰徳陽報 in.toku.you.hou Literally: yin/negative/shadow/secret – virtue – yang/positive/sunlight – reward Alternately: Performing acts of benevolence and charity in secret will nonetheless benefit the doer. It’s tempting to publicize one’s good deeds … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged モーシェ・ベン=マイモーン, ラムバム, cause and effect, 陰徳, 陽報, Huainanzi, karma, secret charity, 淮南子
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Melting pot, ethnic stew
Either way, we’re all in this vessel together 渾然一体 kon.zen.i-.ttai Literally: all – “sort of thing” – one – body Alternately: Disparate things mixing together to form a harmonious or unified whole. A workable sum of parts. The ideal of … Continue reading
A gathering of silver threads
The Little Mermaid II 百川帰海 hyaku.sen.ki.kai Literally: hundred – river – return (home) – ocean Alternately: Things that were scattered or disparate coming together, like how rivers and streams start here and there but all end up in the sea. … Continue reading