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Book by Natsume Sōseki · 12 quotes · Botchan, Japanese, Kiyo

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“생각해보면 사람들은 대부분 남이 안 되는 쪽으로 권하는 것 같다. 남이 잘못되어야만 내가 사회에서 성공할 수 있다고 다들 믿는 걸까. 간혹 정직하고 순수한 사람을 만나면 세상 물정 모르는 도련님이라는 둥, 어린애라는 둥 트집을 잡아 업신여기기나 한다. 그렇다면 초등학교나 중학교에서 도덕 선생이 '거짓말하면 안 된다' '정직해야 한다'라고 가르치지 않는 편이 낫다. 차라리 학교에서 거짓말을 하는 법이나 사람을 믿지 않는 기술이나, 혹은 사람을 이용하는 법을 가르치는 편이 세상을 위해서나 자신을 위해서나 훨씬 낫지 않겠나.”

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“When I came here, Porcupine was the first to treat me to ice water. To be treated by such a fellow, even if it is so trifling a thing as ice water, affects my honor. I had only one glass then and had him pay only one sen and a half. But one sen or half sen, I shall not die in peace if I accept a favor from a swindler. I will pay it back tomorrow when I go to the school. I borrowed three yen from Kiyo. That three yen is not paid yet to-day, though it is five years since. Not that I could not pay, but that I did not want to. Kiyo never looks to my pocket thinking I shall pay it back by-the-bye. Not by any means. I myself do not expect to fulfill cold obligation like a stranger by meditating on returning it. The more I worry about paying it back, the more I may be doubting the honest heart of Kiyo. It would be the same as traducing her pure mind. I have not paid her back that three yen not because I regard her lightly, but because I regard her as part of myself. Kiyo and Porcupine cannot be compared, of course, but whether it be ice water or tea, the fact that I accept another’s favor without saying anything is an act of good-will, taking the other on his par value, as a decent fellow. Instead of chipping in my share, and settling each account, to receive munificence with grateful mind is an acknowledgment which no amount of money can purchase”

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“On my arrival at Tokyo, I rushed into her house swinging my valise, before going to a hotel, with "Hello, Kiyo, I'm back!" "How good of you to return so soon!" she cried and hot tears streamed down her cheeks. I was overjoyed, and declared that I would not go to the country any more but would start housekeeping with Kiyo in Tokyo. Some time afterward, some one helped me to a job as assistant engineer at the tram car office. The salary was 25 yen a month, and the house rent six. Although the house had not a magnificent front entrance, Kiyo seemed quite satisfied, but, I am sorry to say, she was a victim of pneumonia and died in February this year. On the day preceding her death, she asked me to bedside, and said, "Please, Master Darling, if Kiyo is dead, bury me in the temple yard of Master Darling. I will be glad to wait in the grave for my Master Darling." So Kiyo's grave is in the Yogen temple at Kobinata.”

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