Tag Archives: politics

Exceeding fines

Posted on January 30, 2020 by

信賞必罰 shin.shou.hitsu.batsu Literally: fidelity – prize/reward – inevitable – punishment Alternately: Sure reward and certain punishment. Strict, unfailing, and proper apportionment of just deserts, both boons and banes. Notes: This phrase comes to us from the Han Feizi (the『韓非子』= Japanese … Continue reading →

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Sal mirabilis

Posted on November 20, 2019 by

博引旁証 haku.in.bou.shou Literally: extensive – pull – to the side – evidence Alternately: As one member or side of a dispute or controversy, supporting one’s case by citing an extensive body of examples or material. Presenting a solid, perhaps overwhelming, … Continue reading →

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An osmotic balance of worries?

Posted on September 19, 2018 by

内憂外患 nai.yuu.gai.kan Literally: inside – grieve – outside – affliction Alternately: Troubles both within and from without (a country). Internal and external problems. For example, alienating both your populace and your neighbors. By extension, can refer to the combination of … Continue reading →

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But humans turn to face our predators

Posted on July 30, 2018 by

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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Laugh ten million laughs

Posted on August 30, 2017 by

And then stop? 笑止千万 shou.shi.sen.ban Literally: smile – stop – thousand – ten thousand Alternately: Extremely absurd, ridiculous, stupid; pitiful, unfortunate. Notes: 笑止 refers to something funny – or stupid – or pitiable – or worrisome – or embarrassing, while … Continue reading →

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