Yamamoto Tsunetomo Quotes on Knowledge
Yamamoto Tsunetomo's Hagakure offers a practical, unpretentious view of knowledge, and the quotes gathered here present it. Tsunetomo distrusted easy understanding, holding that those things easily understood are rather shallow, while what is genuinely deep and hidden cannot be quickly grasped. He was equally wary of the display of learning: a person who knows but a little will put on an air of knowledge, whereas real mastery will not be seen in a person's manner. Aware that private judgement is narrow, he counselled consulting a wise and disinterested person when a fit decision does not occur, comparing reliance on one's own wisdom alone to thrusting a stick into the ground and expecting it to grow. Drawn from the Hagakure, these passages treat true knowledge as modest, hard-won, and tested against the judgement of others.
Quotes
-
Attributed to Yamamoto Tsunetomo:
“Matters of importance should be undertaken lightly; matters of small importance should be undertaken seriously.”
-
“As translated by William Scott Wilson”
Although it stands to reason that a samurai should be mindful of the Way of the Samurai, it would seem that we are all negligent. Consequently, if someone were to ask, "What is the true meaning of the Way of the Samurai?" the person who would be able to answer promptly is rare. This is because it has not been established in one's mind beforehand. From this, one's unmindfulness of the Way can be kn -
“Variant translation: When all your judgements are based on your own wisdom, you tend towards selfishness and fail by straying from the right path. Your own judgements are narrow minded and have no persuasive power or growth for others. It is best to consult a wise man when a fit decision does not occur to you. A wise man is a fair judge from an objective point of view. He is passing judgement for the benefit of others, not for his own sake. A judgement passed using only one's own wisdom is just like thrusting a stick into the ground and expecting it to grow!”
It is difficult for a fool's habits to change to selflessness. ... Because we do most things relying only on our own sagacity we become self-interested, turn our backs on reason, and things do not turn out well. As seen by other people this is sordid, weak, narrow and inefficient. When one is not capable of true intelligence, it is good to consult with someone of good sense. An advisor will fulfil -
“All of man's work is a bloody business. That fact, today, is considered foolish, affairs are finished cleverly with words alone, and jobs that require effort are avoided. I would like young men to have some understanding of this.”
Wikiquote -
“It is natural that one cannot understand deep and hidden things. Those things that are easily understood are rather shallow.”
Hagakure(c. 1716) -
“A person who knows but a little will put on an air of knowledge. This is a matter of inexperience. When someone knows something well, it will not be seen in his manner.”
Hagakure(c. 1716) -
“To talk about other people's affairs is a great mistake. To praise them, too, is unfttting. In any event, it is best to know your own ability well, to put forth effort in your endeavors, and to be discreet in speech.”
Hagakure(c. 1716)