Quotes

Quote 15 of 32

Of a man's abilities first comes knowledge of the teachings of the
sages, by a clear understanding of literature.  Next is hand-writing,
which should be studied, even though not as an object in itself, as an
aid to learning.

Next should be learned the art of medicine.  Without medicine, a man
cannot care for his own body, nor help others, nor perform his duties
to parents and his lord.

Next come archery and the riding of a horse, from among the six
accomplishments, and they certainly must be given atention.

A knowlege of letters, arms and medicine cannot in truth be done
without; and a man who will learn these cannot be said to be an idle
person.

'Food is man's heaven', and it must be accounted a great virtue in a
man to know how to prepare well-tasting food.

Next is handicraft, which has a thousand uses.

Beyond these, too many accomplishments are a source of shame to high
and low.  Skill in poetry, talent for music are fine and admirable
qualities; but though sovereign and subject may prize them, nowadays a
condition of things has been reached where it would seem foolish to
[expect to] govern a state by their means.  Though gold is superior,
it cannot equal iron in the multitude of its uses.

#122

Tags: admirablequalities handwriting knowlege handicraft sages archery multitude virtue shame heaven literature medicine parents poetry gold truth music