BESS Te TR GIFT OF IOMA2 RUTHERFOR MEMORIAL LIBF Ea al CEA J 00 OX 7 yo / OY g UY 7 3 {4 4 N ~~ 2 7 /, I Vie La) \ Ps 1 } Yi A NN => ZANE CEN 38 2 - S So Fh 7 " A / T DR Z Ls nA $s | > A )y £3 1 7 n TINIAN INF, TIN 2 4 \ ! Vr Ls 0 A CEA Ay 3 £ hh &=3 V2 NZ FAP JAPANESE « PROVERBS COMPILED AND TRANSLATED BY OTA( MASAYOSHI Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1893, By D. S. RICHARDSON, In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. PNGS1 Ja Mz “Thought travels on the changing cloud, with the wind beyond the world’s sphere. August 1, 1893. OTA MASAYOSHI. Dwi La PREFAGE. Someone has said ““ The Japanese people are little in stature, and successful only in little things;” this gives occasion for an- swer: Of course some are small, some large. But even the little ones are not unlike the average humanity, however, for our proverbs declare: “A one-inch worm has a half-inch soul.” “Do they have proverbs?” In our human brotherhood, misunderstandings will arise, but nevertheless they are lamentable. The translation of any literature will prove to be one of the most certain methods of a broader comprehension of national character- istics. In this year of the Columbian Exhibition, I intended to make some memorial, and the slight hint sketched above, has seemed to evoke the present effort. 6 PREFACE. Instead of any record of sectarianism or science, my aim has been rather, to indicate the ideas of the people at large. During my travels I have mingled much with farm- ers and fishermen as well as merchants, and have loved the people more than scholar- ship, finding many opportunities of noting their daily utterances. The origin of many of these proverbs is very remote; but they will usually appear as the expression of experience. Everyone desires prosperity, but time and circumstance often defeat the highest aim.’ In time of trial, people fly to philosophy or religion. The friction of human affairs will create sparks of reason. From the most distant ancestry, all men inherit transcripts of thought. In the exchange and comparison of these, therefore, will be found one of the most valuable lessons of human life. August 1, 1893. OTA MASAYOSHL JAPANESE PROVERBS 1 Fortune will call at the smiling gate.* 2 A single aim pierces to Heaven. 3 New Years’ days are milestones to the next world. 2 4 If the mind be true, without prayer God will guard us. 5 Ignorance has no comprehension of shame. * This is a literal translation, and there seems to be no very satisfactory manner of expression, so brief, and yet so happy, as our own, which is intended to convey the idea that the abode of cheerfulness and joy will attract success. 8 JAPANESE PROVERBS. 6 The current carries to ten thousand the story told by one. : 7 A random shot strikes something. 8 Give occasion to the rat, he will rival the tiger. 9 The dog chases out the quail, but the eagle claims it. 10 If you must be a dog, belong to a great house. 11 The dog is a friend, the eagle, too. 12 Life is a light, until a breath extinguishes it. 13 Secret charity opens the vestibule for fortune.” \ JAPANESE PROVERBS. 9 14 Secret wrong invites disaster. 15 The foundation is not visible to every eye. 16 All things are dreams. 17 The naked body has nothing to lose. 18 Mem.: Bought tie, fifty cents, paid for mak- ing, seventy-five cents.*® ) 19 ? New wife, new carpet.t 20 A one-inch worm has a half-inch soul. * A later expense often exceeds the original. T These are equally welcome to everybody. 10 : JAPANESE PROVERBS. 21 One’s own dwelling-place is a palace. 22 A snake has no feet, a fish no ear.® 23 The bird in extremity will pick, the beast will pounce, man will lie. : 24 The bird hough captured, forgets not how to fly. 25 The fish dances under the wave, but the bird flies heavenward. 26 The mirror of wisdom will sometimes be- come clouded. * According to elementary ability, more than thatIwe cannot expect. JAPANESE PROVERBS. 11 27 A father’s favor overtops the mountain; a mother’s kindness is deeper than the sea. 28 The son of a good physician may die in illness. 29 Hear both before judging. 30 A woman with a three-inch tongue can slay a giant. : 31 What you dislike force not others to do. 32 He is not human who forgets a kindness. 33 Trouble proceeds from the mouth. 34 Gold is the greatest enemy in the world. 12 7 JAPANESE PROVERBS. 35 Do a kindness, but expect no reward. 36 The abode of domestic harmony is the ren- dezvous of fortune’s god. 37 The place of domestic inharmony is the lodge ~ of poverty. 38 Patience is the rope of advancement. 39 Boastfulness is a sign of invitation to the calumniator. 40 The bat hanging upside down, laughs at the topsy-turvy world. 41 Many will begin, few finish. JAPANESE PROVERBS. 13 42 Before it rains close the window. 43 The great disregard trifles. 44 “The elephant does not traverse the narrow road. 45 Do not fear a great enemy, nor despise a small one. 46 A quick temper hurts itself. 47 Pleasure is the precursor of sadness. 48 Do not ridicule the old : you will soon be so. 49 Love's road is the same to high or low. 14 JAPANESE PROVERBS, 50 You cannot study swimming on a carpet. 51 Ci If you are prepared, have no anxiety. : 52 The wife who has shared my rice-dust, in age must not be allowed to lean over the balcony.* 53 ’ In the countries of others, obey their customs. 54 We must not break the bough of the tree that has sheltered us. 55 Even the smart monkey sometimes falls from the tree. * According to our habit, those who spend together the days of poverty, cannot, when prosperity comes, risk the point of danger. : JAPANESE PROVERBS. 15 56 Deaf people sometimes hear quickly. 57 The reclining never fall. : 58 The ignorant are never defeated in argu- ment. 59 Before trying horseback, ride upon oxen.* 60 Beware of committing the care of fish to the cat. 61 Lying leads to thievery. 62 5 The unintelligent dog will bark loudly. 63 Aimless action is combating with a curtain. * Showing that advancement must be by degrees. 16 JAPANESE PROVERBS. 64 A nation has thieves, a dwelling has rats. 65 The road of time has no gatekeeper. 66 As hunger is curable by eating, so is igno- rance by study. 67 Even a mountain-monkey with adornment will be nice. 68 Sickness cured, the doctor is forgotten. 69 Even in the broad world, the sparrow aay be without lunch. 70 Flattery is easy to the poor, pride to the rich. JAPANESE PROVERBS. : 7 71 When I am poor, no friend can find my door. 72 The superior woman exalts her husband; the inferior degrades him. 73 Good behavior obliterates ugliness. 74 From a married couple’s quarrels, even a dog will flee. 75 The whispered word flies a thousand miles. 76 Men's minds differ as do their faces. 7 For a small vessel, use small sail. 18 JAPANESE PROVERBS. 78 A childless woman cannot comprehend affec- tion. 79 The beggar has no fear of bankruptcy. 80 Tiger and deer will not play together. 81 It is more easy to evade the trouble which heaven sends us than that which we bring upon ourselves. 82 The world is the world’s world. 83 Furnish no provender for your enemy. 84 A tumor makes no choice of place. JAPANESE PROVERBS. : 19 85 An ugly woman shuns the looking-glass. 86 To-day’s fifty is better than to-morrow’s hundred. : 87 The intellectual man is delicate, the beautiful woman unfortunate. 88 Nothing is distasteful to hunger. 89 In the forest there are straight trees, but in the world no perfect people. : 90 Yesterday's bride is to-morrow’s mother-in- law. 91 An aged lion is beneath the donkey. 20 JAPANESE PROVERBS. 92 Inquire not the sea-road from the mountain wood-cutter; nor ask the sea-man the way of the mountain. 93 In one’s own affairs it is possible to be deluded, but the spectator sees clearly. 94 Censure not past faults; pursue not past matters. : 95 Heaven defend my neighbor! 96 Snow foretells abundance. 97 The musical arts are more destructive than hatchets to homes and warehouses. JAPANESE PROVERBS. 21 98 For each unseeing eye there is one which sees clearly. 99 - The clear mirror is the plain woman's enemy. 100 However long the river flows, at last it will reach the sea. 101 Elements, however transmuted, to the Cre- ator must return. 102 The tower by the water-side receives the first rays of the moon; and the sunward flower earliest meets the spring. 103 When you drink water consider the fountain. 20 ' JAPANESE PROVERBS. 104 If the water be too pure, fish cannot live in it; if people be too exacting fellow- beings cannot stand beside them. 105 Overturned water cannot be recovered, nor self-indulgence cured. 106 If the ear cannot hear, the heart will not grieve. 107 The infant's mind remains unchanged till ~ one hundred years. 108 The fruitful tree is known by its blossoms. 109 With a mote in the eye, one cannot see the Himalayas. JAPANESE PROVERBS. 23 110 The collector of mummies will be one. 111 The people’s mind is Heaven's mind. 112 Unless you start, you will never arrive. 113 Pride dwells within the realm of Folly. 114 Without shoveling the snow from their own door-steps, some people are ever gazing at the eaves of others. 115 A dead child is beautiful. 2116 After death, no medicine. -24 : JAPANESE PROVERBS. 117 A living pauper is better than a dead mil- lionaire. 118 Life is like a dream of spring. 119 Within a hundred years there are anxieties for a thousand. 120 If the mind is clear, even in a dark room there will be radiance; if the thought is dark, at noonday there will be demons. 121 To know is easy; to practice, difficult. 122 If you be patient, gold will grow on the tree. 123 In summer inactive, in winter starving. JAPANESE PROVERBS. 95 124 ~ There is no cordiality for the too frequent visitor. 125 The intelligent, without leaving home, will survey the universe. 126 Approach too near to ink, you will be dyed with it. 127 Poverty is more bitter than four hundred illnesses. 128 rR Modesty and economy will establish ware- houses. 129 Those who are “ too smart” have no friends. 130 The polite are safe everywhere, the rude often in danger. 26 JAPANESE PROVERBS. 131 People are not made of stone nor wood; all have feelings. 132 Real gold withstands the fire. 133 Men dying, leave behind them their good name. : 134 Instead of expecting from others, look to yourself. 135 Be not lenient to your own faults; keep your pardon for others, 136 People become old, but the spirit fades not; they endure poverty, but yield not their aim. 137 No one sees his own defects. JAPANESE PROVERBS. 27 138 When the sense of shame is lost, advance- ment ceases. 139 Humility is a great castle of defense. 140 Fear not the tongue of others. 141 Do not ride another’s horse. 142 Beauty is only one layer.* 143 Even a vine in a shaded place will blossom in its season. 144 Who steals goods is called a thief; who steals a dominion, a ruler. * This is entirely Japanese, although suggestive of the English one that ‘‘ Beauty is but skin deep.” 28 JAPANESE PROVERBS. : 145 No branch is better than the root. 146 The former wife is always better. 147 Manner of utterance produces discord. 148 Butter costs more than bread. 149 Ignoble people are easy to please, but hard to use. 150 Pursuing the good is like climbing upward; following evil is like the slipping of sand. : 151 The perfume of virtuous deeds will remain for one hundred centuries. JAPANESE PROVERBS. 29 152 Hasten the good, delay the wrong. 153 It is easy to get a thousand soldiers, but difficult to find one general. : 154 A thousand-foot embankment will be broken by the hole of an ant. 155 Fortune’s wheel revolves. 156 In the world fear nothing but an unstable mind. : 157 The lack of study in youth, in age will bring sadness. 158 Rashness will damage everything. 30 JAPANESE PROVERBS. 159 Sit in quiet and consider your own faults; do not discuss those of others. 160 : Tongue-wagging may produce clothing; pen- ploughing produce food. 161 Too much is as bad as not enough. 162 When a horse becomes frantic, a thousand follow the example. 163 There are three misfortunes in life: in youth, to lose a father; in middle age, the death of a wife; in old age, to have no chil- dren. : 164 Genius hears one, comprehends ten. JAPANESE PROVERBS. 31 165 After a word has gone forth, ten horses can- not overtake it. : 166 In sickness, the nurse is the first helper, medicine the second. 167 Loth to lose one cent, will lose ode hundred. 168 One blind, leading a blind multitude, all will fall into the fire-hole. 169 A one-gallon vessel will hold no more than one gallon. 170 If you want to *‘ hurry up,” go around. 32 JAPANESE PROVERBS. 171 If there is anything disagreeable to do, do it to-morrow. 172 | Love does not delude people, they delude themselves. ; 173 Doctors are careless of sanitation. 174 Secret virtue shall be openly rewarded. 175 Keep even the evil thing three years; it will have value. 176 : Negligence looks at the battlefield, then makes its arrows. 177 The frog that lives in the well knows not the ocean. JAPANESE PROVERBS. 33 178 Proof is better than theory. 179 A caged bird yearns for liberty. 180 Prepare your arsenal, then go to battle. 181 There is rescue from all but death. 182 Virtue is greater than a thousand talents. 183 _ There is no plaster for the cure of foolish- ness. 184 ~ Little minds gaze at the sky through a needlehole. Bs JAPANESE PROVERBS, 185 « Scissors and servants are according to their users. ; 186 The fish which escapes from the hook seems always the largest. : 187 Give to the hero the jewelled sword, to the beauty, perfume. 188 It is better to choose chiding than praise. 189 Even a stone image will resent a thrice- stroked face. 190 An awkward speaker lectures long. 191 The unskilled might better rest than con- sider. : JAPANESE PROVERBS. 35 192 The snake will twist, however encompassed. 193 Where there are no birds the bat will be king. 194 The flying bird will not leave the water turbid. 195 Seeking information is a moment's shame, not to learn is a lasting shame. 196 Kindred spirits seek each other; related in sickness pity each other. 197 Different countries have different customs. 198 A near stranger is better than a distant relation. 36 JAPANESE PROVERBS. 199 Rich people are unsatisfied with riches. 200 The one candle of the poor is equal to ten thousand lamps of the rich man. 201 With money, one can get tidings even from hell. 202 A woman adorns herself for one who admires her, a man will die for one who under- stands him. 203 The foolish tell their dreams. 204 Monkeys try to pick up the moon from the water. 205 Gathered dust will make a mountain. = JAPANESE PROVERBS. tv 206 The rare bird will perch only on the chosen tree. 207 Good medicine is bitter to the mouth. 208 A merchant's well stored warehouse looks empty; a finished gentleman looks meek. 209 A woman without jealousy is like a ball with- out elasticity. 210 A gentleman will not stop to re-tie his shoe- lace beside another’s watermelon field. 211 After catching the thief it is too late to make rope. 212 Before you are wet, beware of the dew. 88. JAPANESE PROVERBS. 213 Kindred things attract one another. 214 Stronger than a yoke of oxen is the draw- ing power of a single hair of woman. 215 The countenance will betray the existence of the hidden thought. 216 Even the devil is interesting at seventeen years, as peasant’s tea is fragrant at the first drawing. 217 The escaping warrior, after defeat, fears the trembling of the grass. 218 Of the deeps of the river, the father will learn from the infant at his back. JAPANESE PROVERBS. 39 219 In age, one becomes a child again. 220 A parent's mind the child cannot see. 221 : No one strikes the dog with a wagging tail. 222 Everybody has eight eyes for his neighbor's business. 223 The fortune-teller does not know his own destiny. 224 A man’s mind in love affairs, and an autumn sky cannot be trusted. 225 The extravagant cannot continue long. 40 ? JAPANESE PROVERBS. 226 To the heavy burden, grievous is a small addition. : 227 Of your personal affairs ask advice from others. - 228 Pinch your own body, then feel others’ pain. 229 One is silent in the presence of the best beloved. 230 Draw water on your own farm. 231 To every man his own faith is precious. 232 To the jaundiced all is yellow. ; 233 The wind breaks the lofty trees. JAPANESE PROVERBS. 41 234 Dig the well before you suffer thirst. 235 After the battle is won tighten your helmet. 236 Instead of thoughts of conquest, consider self-defense. : 237 [f you have a cherished child, let him travel. 238 After excessive loving, is hatred a thousand- fold. 239 The counting is “all right,” but there isn't money enough. 240 Borrowing, we bear an angel-face; refund- ing, a devil’s. 42 JAPANESE PROVERBS. 241 Poverty cannot overtake diligence. 242 Walls have ears, doors have eyes. 243 The sitting poet knows each far-famed pros- pect. 244 How unlike the mind the face may be! 245 Even a dead tree adorns the mountain-side. 246 The strong swimmer may drown, the skilled rider fall from his horse. 247 By the name of daughter-in-law even one’s own child would be hateful. JAPANESE PROVERBS. 43 248 Count not others’ fortunes. 249 Even a jewel without polishing has no lustre. 250 If you would rest, choose the shadow of a broad-branching tree. 251 You cannot weave with one thread, nor make a forest with one tree. 252 Life without endeavor is entering a jewel- mine, and coming out with empty hands. 2563 Without a shelter in the world one took refuge under tree-boughs, but the dew fell. ‘44 JAPANESE PROVERBS. 254 Fighting sparrows have no fear of people. 255 Look at a man’s friends, then judge his char- acter. 256 Unless blind and deaf one cannot be im- partial. 257 After the moon fulls, it lessens. 258 ) A flying cloud obscures the radiance of the moon, a blighting wind, the opening flower, so, misfortune to man. 259 In trying to straighten her horns the cow was killed. * * Too much interfering destroys many things. JAPANESE PROVERBS. 45 260 The deep-rooted tree need not fear the wind. 261 Thought will pierce a rock. 262 The bee stings a weeping face. 263 Some will weep, some laugh, through life. 264 The lazy will “hurry up” to eat. 265 After seeking seven times for that which is lost then doubt others. 266 Summer insects are unacquainted with snow. 267 Dialect is a certificate of one’s birth-place 46 JAPANESE PROVERBS. 268 Children born in time of war will not fear the cannon’s sound. - 269 The fallen flower will not return to the branch again. 270 Pleasure is the root of anxiety. 271 The devil will laugh when you speak of next year’s affairs. 272 From unreason, reason will retire. 273 Though you polish jet three years it will never be white. 274 Music, to a cow, while she hears the sound, conveys no meaning to her ear. JAPANESE PROVERBS. 47 275 Awaiting fortune is like awaiting death. 276 Repay malice with kindness. 277 If you speak of some one his shadow will appear. 278 Training molds a man more than birth. 279 At the gate of a widow gossips will gather. 280 Past events are clear as a mirror, but future things are as dense as lacquer. 281 In affliction people fly to God. 48 JAPANESE PROVERBS. 282 Within the boundaries of others, ask their aversions. 283 One's career is not finished until the cover is on the casket. 284 It is not the medicines, but the doctors that kill the people. 285 Who buys cheap things loses his money. 286 If a man bends not to his fellows, how can he live in the world ? : 287 Do not stand at the starting-post. 238 Without sowing you have no harvest. JAPANESE PROVERBS. 49 289 What is to-day your neighbor's lot, to- morrow may be your own. 290 Polite accomplishments may sustain you in adversity. » 291 The perfume-gatherer will waft fragrance from his sleeve. 292 From economy to extravagance the passage is easy; from extravagance to economy, difficult. 293 The rich consider next year, the poor, the present moment. 294 When Prosperity comes, joy is with her, but in Adversity, the spirit is darkened. 50 JAPANESE PROVERBS. 295 : Decayed wood cannot serve as a corner-post, nor a low fellow as a principal. 296 Be cautious in your treatment of others; what originates with you will return to you. 297 When you have children, then you will comprehend your parents’ kindness. 298 Children are the source of sadness, as well as of joy. 299 Love knows no difference between high and low. 300 Who can forget his native land ? 301 People desire to look at the thing they fear. JAPANESE PROVERBS. 51 302 Those who praise a man in his presence, will slander him when he is away. . 303 Before falling, take your staff. oan The road to heaven is alike to young and old. > 305 You cannot catch the tiger without going to his lair. 306 Old friends and new clothes are the best. 307 Clapping cannot be done with one hand. 308 Scandal will travel a thousand miles, but good report will not leave the gate. 52 JAPANESE PROVERBS. 309 Through green spectacles the world is green. 310 In the world there are old men of three years, and children of a hundred. 311 The purse will move the minds of men. 312 The departing become forgetful day by day. 313 Eating without earning will exhaust a moun- tain hoard. 314 Even the hunter will not slay the bird which takes refuge in his bosom. 315 When an insane man runs, the sound-minded follow. JAPANESE PROVERBS. 53 316 Industry is a priceless jewel. 317 Circumspection is the amulet of self-protec- tion. 318 Opportunity is hard to find, easy to lose. 319 ‘Under a strong general there are no weak soldiers. 320 Doubting minds will bring a swarm of demons. 321 Neglect is the mother of misfortunes. 322 Masters will show no contempt for the art of others. 54 JAPANESE PROVERBS. 323 The blind do not fear snakes. * 324 The dead have no tongue. 325 The philanthropist has no enemy. 326 The praising customer never buys. 307 The snake's road the snake will know. 328 The hunter does not look at the mountains. 329 Life is short, but a good name outlives the century. * Illustrating the boldness of ignorance. JAPANESE PROVERBS. 55 330 Look at the manners of others, then correct your own, 331 You cannot shut the door of another's mouth. 332 The evil man is a wolf in human attire. 333 The poor have no leisure. 334 One hundred accomplishments are not equal to one finished talent. : 335 One sight is worth one hundred hearsays. 336 A moth, seeking the light, will burn himself, and the flower-loving butterfly be caught in a spider’s web. 56 7 JAPANESE PROVERBS. 337 He who has the shelter of your eaves will “claim your dwelling. 338 What suits your appetite is delicious. 339 Large capital, large profit. 340 If you want bread, go to the bakery. 341 He who has a thousand rooms, sleeps in but one bed. 342 Those who plant trees pass away, and they who come after enjoy their shade. 343 : With too many helmsmen, the ship will run aground. JAPANESE PROVERBS. 57 344 To lovers’ eyes a scar has the beauty of a dimple. ; 345 Good or virtuous words are warmer than down, but offensive words are sharp as spears. 346 The road is long, when the sun has set. HE mE I TIADATT A Xr 14 DAY USE RETURN TO DESK FROM WHICH LOAN DEPT. PA ih % = I EE eT 2X “ ‘4 > = J ) BORROWED | « This book is due on the last date stamped below, or on the date to which renewed. als only: Tel. No. 642- 3405, Yi Renewals may be made 4 days prior Wi date due, ZA Renewed books are subject to ediate recall. - F : ’ { REC'D LD DECS5 '72 -5 pmt o | Bue end cf WINTER — end o TER Quarter ; » —subiect to—TecaH—=+ FEB1 873 28 us = S - A _ ROT 5 16; 3 BD CD 3 3 3 — REC'D CIRC DEPT MAR 1074.4 ned : pee NOV 2 770 * rE Fol 2 1978 Rec. CR. D REC. CIR. JA 1 LD21A-40m-8,'72 (Q1173510)476—A-32 { yg 2.01 4 BODDBAO77y Lr XH ERA 3 3 2 S x ANS / A y \ A