A person who is discreet in speaking will be useful during the good times and will avoid punishment during the bad.

It is said that what is called "the spirit of an age" is something to which one cannot return. That this spirit gradually dissipates is due to the world's coming to an end. For this reason, although one would like to change today's world back to the spirit of one hundred years or more ago, it cannot be done. Thus it is important to make the best out of every generation.

Having only wisdom and talent is the lowest tier of usefulness.

Go ahead and gamble a lie. A person who will not tell you seven lies within a hundred yards is useless as a man.

Nothing is impossible in this world. Firm determination, it is said, can move heaven and earth. Things appear far beyond one's power, because one cannot set his heart on any arduous project due to want of strong will.

In the Kamigata area, they have a sort of tiered lunchbox they use for a single day when flower viewing. Upon returning, they throw them away, trampling them underfoot. The end is important in all things.

Human life is truly a short affair. It is better to live doing the things that you like.