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It is good to study the "old masters" and to learn the lessons of the successful, but I don't think cults of personality or "celebrity" of the successful is put
by aaronblohowiak 18y ago
It is good to study the "old masters" and to learn the lessons of the successful, but I don't think cults of personality or "celebrity" of the successful is putting the emphasis where it belongs.
- LogicHoleFlaw 18y agoI am reminded of the poem by Matsuo Bashou - 古人の跡を求めず、 古人の求めたるの所を求めよ。 kojin no ato wo motomezu, kojin no motometaru no tokoro wo motome yo Seek not to follow in the footsteps of the wise; seek what they sought.
- river_styx 18y ago+1 for Hiragana, Romanji, and English comprehensiveness.
- aaronblohowiak 18y agothat's probably a better translation than the one i was familiar with / alluding to: "Do not try to imitate the old masters. Seek what they sought." also, I agree with the above. points for comprehensiveness!
- LogicHoleFlaw 18y agoThe poem is a fragment from a larger epistle... there are probably a dozen accurate translations of it, all different. I went with this one because I like the way it reads in English. Disclaimer: My Japanese proficiency is pretty limited. I studied it for a couple of years and have a passable accent, but mostly I just know enough to get myself in trouble :)