Yoshida Shoin Quotes


In relations with others, one should express resentment and anger openly and straightforwardly. If one cannot express them openly and straightforwardly, the only thing to do is forget about them. To harbor grievances in one's heart, awaiting some later opportunity to give vent to them, is to act like a weak and petty man-in truth, it can only be called cowardice.


Context

He was executed for rebellion at age 29. However, a number of his followers went on to leadership positions in the reforms that followed.


Citations

Yoshida Shoin, 1830-1859, Japanese Scholar, Educator, and Revoltionary, Yoshida Shoin Zenshu

Sourced by: Eigen's Political and Historical Quotations

Related Quotes

Yoshida Shoin
Yoshida Shoin
  • Born: September 20, 1830
  • Died: November 21, 1859
  • Nationality: Japanese
  • Profession: Scholar

Yoshida Shōin, commonly named Torajirō (寅次郎), was one of Japan's most distinguished intellectuals in the late years of the Tokugawa shogunate. He devoted himself to nurturing many ishin shishi who in turn made major contributions to the Meiji Restoration.