Japanese aphorisms

Traditional Japanese culture is profoundly distinctive. The philosophy and literature of Japan differ considerably from those of the Western world. Nevertheless, there is a certain succession, for the Japanese expressions (aphorisms) can have certain equivalents in the Western culture. For instance, a Japanese proverb “there are no complaints about the gift” has the same meaning as the Russian “don’t look a gift horse in the mouth”. The aesthetic concepts of Japanese art were formed under the influence of the Japanese special attitude towards the beauty, including the beauty of local natal nature which they have always considered a perfect divine creation. Worshiping the beauty of nature the Japanese tried to live in harmony with it and respected its magnificence. Confucius said: “Everything is beauty, but not everyone is able to see it”.

Aesthetic principles of Japanese art were formed under the influence of three important religious and philosophic doctrines which determined traditional views of the Land of the Rising Sun: Shinto, Confucianism and Buddhism.

Japanese proverbs and sayings are the mirror reflections of history, tradition and spirit of nation which gave a birth to them. Like literature, painting and traditional art of Japan they preserve the centuries-long wisdom and experience of numerous generations.

• When people grieve, share their sorrow 
• When people are glad join them
• In house where are laughing comes happiness
• Don’t fear bending a little thus you straight up faster
• Misfortune comes rely on yourself
• Friends of common sorrow sympathize to each other
• And Confucius wasn’t altogether lucky
• Shade  is part of light
• Good and evil are in your heart
• Evil can’t win over good
• God lives in honest heart
• Horse stamina is tested in road, human character-only with time
• Where force is right, law has no rights
• Talents are not inherited
• Wise man  one time in thousand makes a mistake too
• Servant like falcon needs nurture
• Likes to make a mess
• Born under clatter of cannonade is not afraid of gun shots
• If woman wants -she will go through rock 
• Will beats a rock
• Heartless children pick on their home
• Soul of person in three years is the same after hundred
• Traditions are not the subject to argue
• Who feels ashamed is a man of duty
• Modesty beats power
• Keep an eye on those  who keep silence
• The one who swims can sink
• Too much modesty conceals pride
• Straight man as straight bamboo is a rare thing
• One doesn’t notice his boldness in three years
• The greatest sins of all is dissipation, the greatest virtue of all is child’s duty
• Humanity begins with compassion
• Anger is your enemy
• Horse is tested in riding,  man – in communication
• Even stone can spill out
• Metal examines in fire, man- in vine
• Who’s gay- ferrous is not an obstacle
• Who loves people will live long
• Warrant  money, but  never vouch for people
• Give birth to body not character
• Who drinks is not aware of vine harm who does not drink is not aware of its use
• It happen everything when duty and people’s watch are absent
• Human appearance may lie
• Tiger preserves its skin, man- his reputation
• Forgive to others, but not to yourself
• Ultra-obedience is not a devotion yet
• Sincerity is human brilliant
• Faithful vassal doesn’t serve two hosts
• Conceal under big tree
• Writer doesn’t acknowledge writer
• Wants to learn about yourself ask others
• Don’t bend, don’t straighten
• One time was tiger, other was mouse
• Selfish person is always unsatisfied
• Pinch yourself and learn if it hurts
• Vanity as rush is a universal disease
• Treat an old man like your father
• Want to learn about the person- learn his friends
• Ant thought of moving Fudzi mountain
• Dance when everybody dances
• Know limits to friendship as well
• False friend is more dangerous than open enemy
• Money are useful even in hell
• The poor is the silly
• Dishonest money brings sorrow
• Money slips to money
• When ear ripens it bends, when man makes the fortune he throws back his head
• Dissipation deprives of money and power
• Budd stands only three times
• Who is patient will cope with poverty
• Early waking up nearly equals three virtues
• Blazed up – lost the deal
• Branches that give shade are not to cut
• What’s the point of estimating the skin of live tanuki!
• To give keys to thief for save
• Silliness is incurable
• Who is stupid in forty won’t become smart
• Near to clever person children will read without learning
• The most dangerous enemy is the one who’s silly
• A wise man instead of water uses his fellows as a mirror
• Be thankful for every present
• To give Budd a propagation
• Know limit in singing and dancing
• Looks for sweet while bun is on shelf
• To recognize horse as a deer
• Too smart has no friends
• When violation comes justice leaves
• Small fishes concentrate where big are
• Happiness comes to merry gates
• Argument is stronger violation
• Walls listen bottles tell
• Merchant is an enemy to merchant
• When trouble passes dress yourself up
• Dust piling up forms mountains
• In darkness dog dung doesn’t soil
• Pretty woman is a sword cutting life
• To appreciate parent love rise up children
• Host of gold mountain is greedy too
• Everything that blossoms inevitably fade
• His fortune is of small-shell size!

Materials used: book by V.A.Pronnikov and I. D.Ladanov   “Japanese”.

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