Vocabulary

being angry (suddenly)

don't

(please) don't

does not; do not; will not do

going up and down; rising and falling

to be unreasonable; to whine; to act like a baby

function follows form; the outside shapes the inside; belief comes from solemnity (i.e. from seeing an ornate temple)

empty vessels make the most noise; the silent firefly burns with more passion than the crying cicada

a wholesome household can not be disturbed from the outside; a house divided against itself cannot stand; a firm fence keeps the dogs out

grind your inkstick gently but move your brush vigorously; let the hungry ghost grind your inkstick, let the ogre hold your brush

to try and reach above one's station and fail; to try and accomplish something beyond one's abilities and fail; a monkey tries to catch the moon (and drowns)

life has its ups and downs; he who falls today may rise tomorrow

slow but steady wins the race; constant effort will result in success; constant dripping wears away a stone

to be conspicuous; to stand out

to take notice (of); to pay attention (to)

it's hard to cut one's ties to close relatives even if they are wicked; you don't cut your finger off just because it's dirty

how; in what way; I wonder

very small amount; insignificant thing; negligible amount

if I do say so myself

stupid people don't catch colds

you can do anything if you set your mind to; even an ant's thoughts reach the heavens

to impersonate someone; to go under a false name; to make fraudulent use of someone's name

definitely OK; definitely possible

the Four Freedoms (as defined by Franklin D. Roosevelt: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, freedom from fear)

(person who has the) hands of God; master; virtuoso

to take a breather; to take a rest; to take a break

dangerous; risky

willy-nilly; whether willing or not

whether one likes it or not; whether willing or not; willy-nilly

hanger-on; lackey; sycophant; snow stuck under a geta sandal

to lose a battle to win the war; to incur damage so as to inflict greater damage on a foe; to allow one's flesh to be cut in order to sever another's bone

completely motionless; totally still

to lose a battle to win the war; to incur damage so as to inflict greater damage on a foe; to allow one's flesh to be cut in order to sever another's bone

if a man hears the Way in the morning, he may die in the evening without regret

thousands die to make one hero; one general reaches glory, ten thousand bones are left to dry

thousands die to make one hero; one general reaches glory, ten thousand bones are left to dry

only a hero can understand a hero; swallows and sparrows can't understand the aspirations of phoenixes and swans

to keep face; to save face; to not lose face

to make a foursome

do not befriend those beneath you