It's a pity, a gentleman in refined retirement composing po… - Ryōkan

" "
It's a pity, a gentleman in refined retirement composing poetry: He models his work on the classic verse of China. And his poems are elegant, full of fine phrases. But if you don't write of things deep in your own heart, What's the use of churning out so many words?

Ryōkan

Sources available for members. Sign up free to see where this quote comes from

English

Collect this quote

About Ryōkan

Ryōkan (1758–1831) was an eccentric Sōtō Zen Buddhist monk who lived in Echigo, Japan, as a hermit, most famous for his poetry and calligraphy.

Biography information from Wikiquote

Also Known As

Alternative Names: Ryokan • Ryoukan

All quotes from Ryōkan Similar Quotes by other Originators

Originators like Ryōkan:

Mary Oliver Robert Frost Rabindranath Tagore William Butler Yeats William Stafford

Additional quotes by Ryōkan

In my hometown, there are two brothers
with contrary characters.
One is clever and eloquent,
the other is foolish and silent.
The foolish one
seems to have all the time in the world.
The clever one
is always busy depleting his life.

See and realize that this world is not permanent. Neither late nor early flowers will remain.

You must rise above The gloomy clouds Covering the mountaintop Otherwise, how will you Ever see the brightness?

It's a pity, a gentleman in refined retirement composing poetry: He models his work on the classic verse of China. And his poems are elegant, full of… - Ryōkan

About Ryōkan

Also Known As

Additional quotes by Ryōkan