The Path

by Konosuke Matsushita (松下 幸之助), PHP研究所 (Translator)

短編随筆集『道をひらく』の英文版。運命を切りひらくために。日々を新鮮な心で迎えるために――。人生への深い洞察をもとに綴った短編随筆集。40年以上にわたって読み継がれる、発行520万部超のロングセラー。Sold more than 5 million copies over the past 50 years in Japan alone, this long-standing book gives readers enduring insights by K. Matsushita into how to live a meaningful life as a human being. Translated into various languages already, he wished it to be sold more than 100 million copies all over the world. His time-tested thinking will surely be a useful guideline when making decisions in the course of your life.

194 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 26, 2018

About the author

Kōnosuke Matsushita (松下 幸之助 Matsushita Kōnosuke) was a Japanese industrialist who founded Panasonic.

Reviews

[Shu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although first published in 1968, the writing style here feels ancient, more comparable to the wisdom poetry of the old Eastern sages than post WWII business books (e.g. Peter Drucker). I especially loved the factoids about old Japanese society and history (e.g. noren-wake, Osaka Castle’s construction, etc.).

“Service rendered with kindness, quality, and quickness–as well as a spirit of reverence: a business thus run, no matter where it is, will be successful.”

“Surely what leads from the ordinary to success is the steady accumulation of little, routine things we hardly ever think about.”

“Indeed, I am often struck that nothing is more precious in succeeding in business than faithfulness to one’s principles, one’s code of conduct.”