プロメシューム > プロメシューム's Quotes

“It is useless to talk with those who do not understand one and troublesome to talk with those who criticize from a feeling of superiority. Especially one-sided persons are troublesome. Few are accomplished in many arts and most cling narrowly to their own opinion.”
― Murasaki Shikibu , Diaries of court ladies of old Japan

“Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise; seek what they sought.”
― Matsuo Bashō

“Real things in the darkness seem no realer than dreams.”
― Murasaki Shikibu, The Tale of Genji

“Reality depends upon your mind alone.[34] If your mind is not at peace what use are riches?”
― Kamo no Chōmei, Hojoki: Visions of a Torn World

“And so the months and the years have gone by, but little has turned out well for me. Each new year in turn has failed to bring happiness. Indeed, as I think of the unsatisfying events I have recorded here, I wonder whether I have been describing anything of substance. Call it, this journal of mine, a shimmering of the summer sky.”
― Michitsuna no Haha

“A man who has nothing in particular to recommend him discusses all sorts of subjects at random as if he knew everything.”
― Sei Shonagon, The Pillow Book

“Rather than recall
in these flowers
the fragrance of the past,
I would like to hear this nightingale's voice,
to know if his song is as sweet.”
― Izumi Shikibu, The Ink Dark Moon: Love Poems by Ono no Komachi and Izumi Shikibu, Women of the Ancient Court of Japan

“Sometimes a person who is utterly devoid of charm will try to create a good impression by using very elegant language; yet he only succeeds in being ridiculous.”
― Sei Shōnagon, The Pillow Book

“What is it about this twilight hour? Even the sound of a barely perceptible breeze pierces the heart.”
― Ono No Komachi, The Ink Dark Moon: Love Poems by Ono no Komachi and Izumi Shikibu, Women of the Ancient Court of Japan