Japanese affection is not uttered in words; it scarcely appears even in the tone of voice; it is chiefly shown in acts of exquisite courtesy and kindness.
Interpretation
Japanese affection is expressed through actions rather than words.
This quote by Lafcadio Hearn highlights the cultural nuances of expressing affection in Japan, where love and care are often shown through thoughtful actions and behaviors rather than spoken declarations or vocal tones. It emphasizes the importance of subtlety and consideration in interpersonal relationships, illustrating how kindness and courtesy serve as the primary vehicles for expressing deep emotional connections.
In practice
During a cultural exchange presentation about Japanese customs.
The tea ceremony requires years of training and practice ... yet the whole of this art, as to its detail, signifies no more than the making and serving of a cup of tea. The supremely important matter is that the act be performed in the most perfect, most polite, most graceful, most charming manner possible.
No man can possibly know what life means, what the world means, until he has a child and loves it. And then the whole universe changes and nothing will ever again seem exactly as it seemed before.
In the world of reality the more beautiful a work of art, the longer, we may be sure, was the time required to make it, and the greater the number of different minds which assisted in its development.
But what is after all the happiness of mere power? There is a greater happiness possible than to be lord of heaven and earth; that is the happiness of being truly loved.
My heart was broken and my head was just barely inhabitable
Expressing our vulnerability can help resolve conflicts.
It's okay to send flowers, but don't let the flowers do all the talking. Flowers have a limited vocabulary. About the best flowers can say is that you remembered. But your words tell the rest.
What was so extraordinary to me about going through this box of my mother's letters and diaries was meeting my mother not as my mother, but as a real person. And what breaks my heart is that I had no idea how self-aware she was and how protective of me she was.
Communities of color don't understand what it means to be a police officer, the fear that police officers have in just being on the streets.
Whatβs the point of being a magician if you canβt wave your wand and make the people you care about feel better?
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.