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Hello, this is Yasui, the sole proprietor running a company primarily engaged in inspecting high-pressure gas equipment.
This morning, I looked out the window and saw the world blanketed in snow.
It seems it snowed even in central Nagoya.
The Meishin Expressway was closed from Ogaki to Shiga Prefecture.
Locally, I saw several abandoned cars, likely left behind by drivers using regular tires.
Taking risks like “I’ll probably be fine” not only endangers yourself but also inconveniences others.
We must all be more careful.
Recently, I’ve been reading The Analects and the Abacus by Eiichi Shibusawa, whose portrait will soon appear on the new 10,000-yen bill.
The Analects refers to the teachings of Confucius, compiled and edited by his disciples over approximately 400 years after his death.
I remember learning about it in high school Chinese literature classes.
- "Excess is as bad as deficiency."
- "What you do not wish for yourself, do not impose on others."
Even as a high school student, I thought, “That makes sense,” as I listened to those lessons.
It’s fascinating how words spoken by someone living in the era before Christ still resonate today.
In an age when paper was likely scarce, and there was no internet, cloud computing, or data centers—none of the tools we use today to share ideas globally—these teachings were preserved.
And it took 400 years…
Why would people who likely never met Confucius themselves feel compelled to compile his teachings over such a long time?
That, in itself, is awe-inspiring.
We must be grateful to our ancestors for their efforts.
The idea that “Excess is as bad as deficiency” was reportedly put into practice by Tokugawa Ieyasu, one of Japan’s great leaders.
In fact, he expanded on it in his will, saying:
- “Falling short is better than going too far.”
Ieyasu, though a warrior, was also a cultured man and an avid learner.
In any aspect of life, overdoing it is not good. Balance—maintaining moderation, or what we call chuyo (the middle way)—is essential.
For instance, amassing knowledge in theory but never applying it.
Or focusing solely on finances while avoiding the field.
What’s most important is to observe reality and address matters with care.
Today’s Quote
“Excess is as bad as deficiency. Doing too much is no better than doing too little. Always strive for balance.”
See you next time!
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