Tag Archives: Confucius

Personal growth vis-a-vis other people’s persons

Posted on January 2, 2022 by Confanity

Don’t pick your nose; just pick your friends! 益者三友、損者三友(Ekisha san’yuu, sonsha san’yuu;“Three beneficial friends, three harmful friends”) Definition: There are three kinds of friends who are good for you and three kinds who are bad for you. The beneficial kinds … Continue reading →

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Failure to plan is planning to…

Posted on March 29, 2020 by Confanity

…murder thousands of your own citizens, if one of the things you’re supposed to plan for is an emergency situation! 遠慮なければ近憂あり (Enryo nakereba kin’yuu ari; “Without forethought, worry is forthcoming”) Definition: If you don’t act and plan with an eye … Continue reading →

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But humans turn to face our predators

Posted on July 30, 2018 by Confanity

苛政は虎よりも猛し (Kasei wa tora yori mo takeshi; “A cruel government is more terrible than a tiger”) Definition: The harm done by bad governance is worse than that done by a ravenous tiger. People fear wild nature, but often it poses … Continue reading →

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Pure of heart,

Posted on July 10, 2017 by Confanity

worse than a fart. 水清ければ魚棲まず (Mizu kiyokereba uo sumazu; “If the water is pure fish don’t live there.”) Definition: If you’re too serious and straitlaced, then instead of loving you and wanting to be close to you, people will keep … Continue reading →

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Never trust anything strawberry-flavored

Posted on October 23, 2016 by Confanity

In fact, when in doubt, just go with the most masochistic option available. 良薬は口に苦し (Ryouyaku wa kuchi ni nigashi; “Good medicine is bitter in the mouth”) Definition: Good advice is hard to listen to. The advice that we most desperately … Continue reading →

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Be the change you want to see in the world, even if it’s only pocket change

Posted on September 13, 2015 by Confanity

Intro: I may have gone a little overboard with the explanation on this one. I hope somebody some time finds it useful, at least! 義を見てせざるは勇無きなり (Gi wo mite sezaru wa yuu naki nari; “To see what is right and not … Continue reading →

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No spoonfuls of sugar for you today

Posted on March 1, 2015 by Confanity

忠言耳に逆らう (Chuugen mimi ni sakarau; “Good advice hurts your ears”) Definition: When someone is truly trying to help you, they acknowledge your faults and failings and give you good advice based on that honest assessment. But it can be hard … Continue reading →

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On achieving clarity

Posted on February 15, 2015 by Confanity

Here’s our fortieth kotowaza: 四十にして惑わず (Shijuu ni shite madowazu; “At forty, no doubts”) Definition: This extremely optimistic saying asserts that by the time you reach forty years old, your ability to reason is well-developed, your studies have given you a … Continue reading →

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