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Tag Archives: learning
Nothing but boss fights
(Pun) 人の振り見て我が振り直せ (Hito no furi mite waga furi naose; “Observe the behavior of others; correct your own”) Definition: An admonition to grow and improve by observing those around you. When you see good behavior, you should copy it; when you … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged Analects, classical Japanese grammar, 直す, 論語, learning, mirror, negative example, positive example, 孔子, 人の振り
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Long before Tezuka or Dazai
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
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged Classic of Poetry, classical Japanese grammar, 玉を攻む, 詩経, learning, negative example, 他山の石, 他山之石
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Does it flip when you’re old?
少年老い易く学成り難し (Shounen oiyasuku gaku narigatashi; “For a youth to age is easy, and to become a scholar is hard”) Definition: People should study hard when they’re young, because time is precious and fleeting. When you’re young you feel like you … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged classical Japanese grammar, hard work, learning, life is short, Zhu Xi, 偶成, 学成り難, 少年老い易, 朱熹
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A learning mechanic for YAOSC
Some readers may remember that I’ve got my own “fantasy heartbreaker” tabletop RPG system perpetually on the back burner, whimsically titled YAOSC (Yet Another Old-School Clone). The basic design elements for most action resolution are: Roll equal to or under your … Continue reading
Baby steps to victory!
Another thing to keep in mind as we make resolutions and head into the new year. 一日一字を学べば三百六十字 (Ichinichi ichiji wo manabeba sanbyakurokujuuji; “If you learn one character a day, three hundred sixty characters”) Definition: If you study just a little … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged accumulation, baby steps, 童子教, each day, learning, persistence, 学ぶ, 一日一字, 三百六十
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My way *is* the highway
学問に王道無し (Gakumon ni oudou nashi; “There is no royal road in learning”) Definition: There is no easy way, no quick fix or magic bullet, for mastering a field of study. You need to acquire information and mental tools, incorporate them … Continue reading
Standing on the shoulders of giants to see far
A yojijukugo for going back to school. 温故知新 on.ko.chi.shin Literally: warm – reason/cause/therefore – know – new Alternately: Learning from the past. Gaining new knowledge or wisdom through (thorough) study of the past. Moving forward with new ideas, based on … Continue reading