Tag Archives: Classic of Poetry

The impossible wisdom

Posted on June 1, 2022 by Confanity

…of, you know, not deliberately endangering people. 明哲保身mei.tetsu.ho.shin Literally: bright – clear / philosophy – preserve – person Alternately: The wise and rational person avoids danger and thus remains safe. Alternately (through a common misinterpretation of 保身), this phrase may … Continue reading →

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Not quite cuckoo

Posted on October 14, 2020 by Confanity

But closer every day 鳩居鵲巣kyuu.kyo.jaku.sou Literally: dove – sit/be [in a place] – magpie – nest Alternately: Taking someone else’s achievements or social position for yourself. Undeservedly stealing someone else’s laurels or spotlight. Notes: This comes from our friend, the … Continue reading →

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When the bones are bad

Posted on December 1, 2019 by Confanity

…the rest is needed 骨折り損の草臥れ儲け (Honeori zon no kutabire mouke; “Bone-breaking loss and a profit of weariness”) Definition: Working hard without any reward. Bone-breaking labor with no fruits but exhaustion. A wasted effort or thankless task. Breakdown: It turns out … Continue reading →

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Long before Tezuka or Dazai

Posted on March 31, 2019 by Confanity

他山の石以て玉を攻むべし (Tazan no ishi motte tama wo osamu beshi; “One must polish one’s jewels with stones from other mountains.”) Definition: A command to take someone else’s mistakes as an opportunity to reflect on and improve your own ways. “One must … Continue reading →

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Spread your tiny wings

Posted on May 10, 2017 by Confanity

And fire the FBI director if the investigation scares you? 小心翼翼 shou.shin.yoku.yoku Literally: small – heart – wing – wing Alternately: Timid; nervous; fearful. Notes: As always the doubled character can be replaced by the doubling mark 々. 小心 refers … Continue reading →

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All’s well that’s ended well

Posted on October 2, 2016 by Confanity

有終の美を飾る (Yuushuu no bi wo kazaru; “To add a crowning touch”) Definition: Carrying something through to a successful conclusion. Producing excellent results by seeing a task through with full effort until it’s complete, rather than doing enough work to finish … Continue reading →

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Or eggshells. Frozen eggshells?

Posted on July 17, 2016 by Confanity

薄氷を履むが如し (Hakuhyou wo fumu ga gotoshi; “Like treading on thin ice”) Definition: Being in an intensely dangerous situation. When a thick layer of ice covers a body of water, it can safely support people walking on it or even heavy … Continue reading →

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