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Tag Archives: Records of the Grand Historian
All in one basket, no less
累卵の危うき(Ruiran no ayauki;“The peril of a pile of eggs”) Definition: An especially unstable and dangerous situation. Potential downfall and ruin. Breakdown: We begin with the compound noun 累卵 (ruiran), literally a “pile of eggs.” This is joined by the associative … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged Chinese Antiquity, 累卵, danger, 范雎, fragile eggs, instability, Records of the Grand Historian, Shiji, 危うき, 史記, 史记
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The best lover is one who breaks your spine
A book lover breaking your book’s spine, I mean. 葦編三絶i.hen.san.zetsu Literally: reed – braid – three – sever Alternately: Reading the same book over and over again. Close, careful, and frequent reading of a text. Notes: Think of a text … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged absolutely no double entendre, bibliophilia, book binding, bookworm, Chinese literature, 葦編, heavy reading, Records of the Grand Historian, Shiji, 史記, 史记, 孔子, 易経, 三絶
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The great insulator
Second only to sudden bereavement – Joan Aiken 一攫千金i-.kkaku.sen.kin Literally: one – take – thousand – gold Alternately: Making a large profit at one stroke without much effort. Note that the instantaneous and easy nature of the wealth in question … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged easy money, Records of the Grand Historian, sudden wealth, the American Dream, windfall, 千金, 史記, 史记, 一獲, 一攫
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Keep your debrief brief
敗軍の将は兵を語らず (Haigun no shou wa hei wo katarazu; “The defeated commander speaks not of war.”) Definition: Someone who has failed at something has no authority to speak on the topic; a defeated general should not give their opinions on warfare. … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged excuses, 謀る, lessons of defeat, Records of the Grand Historian, sore loser, 兵を語る, 史記, 史记, 敗軍の将
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Ambition is for the birds
燕雀安くんぞ鴻鵠の志を知らんや (Enjaku izukunzo koukoku no kokorozashi wo shiran ya; “How could the swallow or sparrow understand the goose or swan?”) Definition: People of lowly character or small ability don’t, and can’t, understand the thought processes and ambitions of those with … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged birds, Chinese Antiquity, classical Japanese grammar, 燕雀, 鴻鵠, large small, Records of the Grand Historian, understanding, 史記, 史记, 安くんぞ
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Hot air rises
意気揚揚i.ki.you.you Literally: mind/heart – spirit – raise – raise Alternately: In high spirits; triumphant, elated… by extension, boastful; proud unto arrogance; full of oneself. Often used with the ironic or critical nuance that someone’s inflated self-esteem is not actually in … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged arrogance, bullies, pride, Records of the Grand Historian, triumph, 史記, 史记, 意気, 揚々, 揚揚
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Just avoid immovable objects
…and you’ll be fine. Right? 断じて行えば鬼神も之を避く (Danjite okonaeba kishin mo kore wo saku; “If you do things decisively, even demon-gods will get out of the way”) Definition: If you take decisive action backed by strong determination, there is little that … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged classical grammar, determination, 鬼神, Records of the Grand Historian, willpower, 史記, 断じて
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Please do not bend, fold, spindle or mutilate
曲学阿世 kyoku.gaku.a.sei Literally: bend – study – flatter – society Alternately: Twisting knowledge or reason in order to fit in with a trend or pander to some powerful element of society. Perverting truth in favor of social or political expediency. … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged 阿世, perversion, reason, Records of the Grand Historian, science, 儒林, 史記, 曲学
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Nor trying at plying
All the songless birds can fly, though 鳴かず飛ばず (Nakazu tobazu; “Nor crying nor flying”) Definition: Quietly waiting one’s chance. Doing nothing for a long time, but with the specific intention of taking action as soon as the opportunity finally comes. … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged biding, 荘王, Records of the Grand Historian, story, waiting, 史記
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Yinstring and Yangtwine
禍福は糾える縄の如し (Kafuku wa azanaeru nawa no gotoshi; “Good and ill fortune are entwined like (the strands of) a rope”) Definition: Good luck and bad luck are intimately and inextricably connected; you can’t have only one or the other. Every cloud … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged classical Japanese grammar, 禍福, 糾える縄, intertwined, Records of the Grand Historian, silver lining, 史記
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