Wisdom from Japanese Culture
Riotaro Okada, in Japan, wrote to me recently asking, "Would you kindly give me a message for the mailing list members and your book readers in Japan?"
I think my reply might be worth blogging here, for those who cannot read Japanese. I tried to show how much I have learned from studying Japanese culture, as well as other cultures, something from which we might all profit.
I am honored and humbled to know of my many readers in Japan. I owe a great debt of gratitude to Professor Izumi Kimura and my other translators. I'm sure the books are much better in Japanese than in English.
If I were to give advice to a young professional starting out in the world, I could do no better than quote three Japanese proverbs:
We learn little from victory, much from defeat.
So, do not think in terms of Win or Lose, because you cannot always win.
Think instead of Learn, for Win or Lose, you can always learn.
Even a thief takes ten years to learn his trade.
There is no quick road to success. Be prepared to persist through some hard times, and you will outlast your competitors who burn themselves out with too quick a start.
If you believe everything you read, better not read.
Take my books, and the books of others, as if they were tempting meals.
Taste everything, but swallow only what tastes right to you.
Once again, thank you for reading my books. Teachers open the door. You enter by yourself.
Very best regards,
Jerry Weinberg
One who has attained mastery of an art reveals it in their every action. -- Samurai Maxim
I think my reply might be worth blogging here, for those who cannot read Japanese. I tried to show how much I have learned from studying Japanese culture, as well as other cultures, something from which we might all profit.
I am honored and humbled to know of my many readers in Japan. I owe a great debt of gratitude to Professor Izumi Kimura and my other translators. I'm sure the books are much better in Japanese than in English.
If I were to give advice to a young professional starting out in the world, I could do no better than quote three Japanese proverbs:
We learn little from victory, much from defeat.
So, do not think in terms of Win or Lose, because you cannot always win.
Think instead of Learn, for Win or Lose, you can always learn.
Even a thief takes ten years to learn his trade.
There is no quick road to success. Be prepared to persist through some hard times, and you will outlast your competitors who burn themselves out with too quick a start.
If you believe everything you read, better not read.
Take my books, and the books of others, as if they were tempting meals.
Taste everything, but swallow only what tastes right to you.
Once again, thank you for reading my books. Teachers open the door. You enter by yourself.
Very best regards,
Jerry Weinberg
One who has attained mastery of an art reveals it in their every action. -- Samurai Maxim
