137Japanese idiom 四字熟語
明鏡止水
めいきょうしすいMeikyō shisui
“Clear mirror, still water.”
The meaning
A settled mind reflects things as they are, like unrippled water. Agitation shows nothing truly; calm is a condition of lucidity.
At the origin
An image from Zhuangzi, used in Japan for the state of mind of artisans, artists and martial artists.
The characters
In practice
Before a decision, let the water settle: ten slow breaths.
Editorial note
Classical Chinese origin (Zhuangzi).
Themes
In the collections · Seijaku
Similar proverbs
- 011 上手の手から水が漏れる Even skilled hands let water slip through.
- 026 覆水盆に返らず Spilled water does not return to the tray.
- 071 明日は明日の風が吹く Tomorrow, tomorrow's wind will blow.
- 091 魚心あれば水心 If the fish loves the water, the water will love the fish.
- 109 ゆく河の流れは絶えずして、しかももとの水にあらず The river flows on and on, and yet the water is never the same.