Nippon Eitaigura: The Way to Wealth
A source page for quotes linked to Ihara Saikaku.
“The first consideration for all, throughout life, is the earning of a living.”
“In life it is training rather than birth which counts.”
“Ancient simplicity is gone...the people of today are satisfied with nothing but finery.”
“Take care! Kingdoms are destroyed by bandits, houses by rats, and widows by suitors.”
“To think twice in every matter and follow the lead of others is no way to make money.”
“If we live by subhuman means we might as well never have had the good fortune to be born human.”
“Like ice beneath the sun's rays - to such poverty did he fall...his fortune melted to water.”
“Harshness is for the good of a boy, soft-heartedness will ruin him.”
“Men take their misfortunes to heart and keep them there.”
“Though mothers and fathers give us life, it is money alone which preserves it.”
“There is always something to upset the most careful of human calculations.”
“To make a fortune some assistance from fate is essential. Ability alone is insufficient.”
“If making money is a slow process, losing it is quickly done.”