Vocabulary

to chase after two hares; to try and do two things at the same time

being in a helpless situation; (like a) fish on a chopping board

an old man's indiscretions

the samurai glories in honourable poverty; keep a stiff upper lip!

being besieged by suitors; to be popular; eight suitors for one daughter

to be read like an open book; to be seen through

a samurai never goes back on his word

you cannot excuse a bad deed with a petty act of benevolence; steal a pig and give the feet for alms

knowledge is power

any port will do in a storm; when you've lost your boat midstream, even a pot is worth a fortune

you're never too old to learn

to put on a triumphant air

to look displeased; to flare one's nostrils

veni, vidi, vici; I came; I saw; I conquered

that's exactly right; that's so true

to be really good (at something); to be as good as a professional

frailty, thy name is woman

to gain a bad reputation; to fall into ill repute

the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence

the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence; the neighbour's salted rice bran paste (smells sweeter)

to jar; to grate; to make others uncomfortable

fear of death

(not) in the slightest

the way of the world; the lay of the land; the inescapable circumstances (of life); (just) the way things are

life is but a dream; this too shall pass; everything is transient

he has not lived that lives not after death; the great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it

the line between good and evil is no wider than a razor's edge

even the strong-willed fall into temptation

even small mistakes can be costly

good wine needs no bush; talent stands out

anyone can make a mistake; even Homer nods; even a polished mirror conceals its reverse side

you can't always get what you want; man plans and God laughs; things don't always turn out the way you hope

the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence; other people's flowers are redder

harsh words make the going rough; consider your words; a round egg can be cut into a square

two is a company, three is a crowd; one companion is better than two

all men are alike; all lives are alike; all men live and die; we all bleed the same; a pike conger has one life, a shrimp does too

every tide has its ebb

our debt to our parents is higher than the mountain and deeper than the sea

anyone can make a mistake; even Homer nods

faith is best in moderation; worship too hard and you will pass right through paradise