If you work by reason, you grow rough-edged. If you follow your feelings, you get swept away. If you insist on having your way, you feel boxed in. In any case, the human world is hard to live in.

自分の弱点をさらけ出さずに人から利益を受けられない。自分の弱点をさらけ出さずに人に利益を与えられない。

Natsume Sōseki

Writers & Literary Figures

Natsume Sōseki

Natsume Soseki (1867-1916) is Japan's most celebrated modern novelist, known for masterworks such as 'Kokoro,' 'Botchan,' and 'I Am a Cat.' A scholar of English literature who studied in London, he fused Western literary techniques with Japanese sensibility to create psychologically penetrating novels that explore the isolation of the modern individual.

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Natsume Sōseki's Other Quotes

You cannot receive benefit from others without exposing your weaknesses. You cannot give benefit to others without exposing your weaknesses.

Follow heaven and forsake the self.

のんきと見える人々も、心の底を叩いてみると、どこか悲しい音がする。

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Let us put an end to this war. For we know how to win battles but not how to use our victories.

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We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.

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Father, Mother, Kokichi is completely exhausted and can no longer run. Please forgive me.

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I ain't never been hit so hard.

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