199Japanese quotation 名言
身を浅く思い、世を深く思う
みをあさくおもい、よをふかくおもうMi o asaku omoi, yo o fukaku omou
“Think lightly of yourself, think deeply of the world.”
The meaning
Lightening the room you grant yourself frees attention for what is vaster. The precept does not humiliate: it moves the center of gravity.
At the origin
A precept of the Dokkōdō, Miyamoto Musashi's rule of life (1645).
The characters
- 身 mioneself
- を o(object)
- 浅く asakulightly
- 思い
- 、
- 世
- を
- 深く
- 思う
をParticleMarks the object: what the action falls upon.
In practice
Today, for one hour, take more interest in the world than in your reflection.
Themes
Similar proverbs
- 291 花の色は移りにけりないたづらに我が身世にふるながめせしまに The color of the flowers has faded, while I watched the long rains fall — and my life go by.
- 090 我が身をつねって人の痛さを知れ Pinch yourself to know another's pain.
- 094 負うた子に教えられて浅瀬を渡る The child on your back shows you the ford.
- 009 思い立ったが吉日 The best day to begin is the day you think of it.
- 047 芸は身を助ける A skill always ends up helping.