| 5 entries | | |  | | | | Way of the Samurai Part 1 | wrote | | To give a person one's opinion and correct his faults is an important thing. It is compassionate and comes first in matters of service. But the way of doing this is extremely difficult. To discover the good and bad points of a person is an easy thing, and to give an opinion concerning them is easy too. For the most part, people think that they are being
kind by saying the things that others find distasteful or difficult to say. But if it is not received well...(read part 2) | | | | | Way of the Samurai Part 2 | wrote | | But if it is not received well, they think that there is nothing more to be done. This is completely worthless. It is the same as bringing shame to a person by slandering him. It is nothing more than getting it off one's chest.
To give a person an opinion one must first judge well whether that person is of the disposition to receive it or not. One must become close with him and make sure that he continually trusts one's word. Approaching subjects that are dear to him. (read part 3) | | | | | Way of the Samurai Part 3 | wrote | | | Seek the best way to speak and to be well understood. Judge the occasion, and determine whether it is better by letter or at the time of leave-taking. Praise his good points and use every device to encourage him, perhaps by talking about one's own faults without touching on his, but so that they will occur to him. Have him receive this in the way that a man would drink water when his throat is dry, and it will be an opinion that will correct faults. This is extremely difficult.. (part 4) | | | | | Way of the Samurai Part 4 | wrote | | If a persons fault is a habit of some years prior, by and large it won't be remedied. I have
had this experience myself. To be intimate with one's comrades, correcting each other's faults, and being of one mind to be of use to the master is the great compassion of a retainer. By bringing shame to a person, how could one expect to make him a better man? | | | | | Bushido | wrote | | There was a man who said "such and such has a violent disposition, but this is what i said right to his face..."
This was an unbecoming thing to say, and it was simply said because he wanted to be known as a rough fellow. It was rather low, and it can be seen that he was still rather immature. It is because a samurai has correct manners that he is admired. Speaking of others in this way is no different from an exchange between low class spearmen. It is vulgar. | | | | | 5 entries | | |
|
