A famous Japanese Zen master, Hakuun Yasutani Roshi, said…
““A famous Japanese Zen master, Hakuun Yasutani Roshi, said that unless you can explain Zen in words that a fisherman will comprehend, you don’t know what you’re talking about. Some fifty years ago a UCLA professor told me the same thing about applied mathematics. We like to hide from the truth behind foreign-sounding words or mathematical lingo. There’s a saying: The truth is always encountered but rarely perceived. If we don’t perceive it, we can’t help ourselves and we can’t much help anyone else.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Understanding concepts requires plain language; truth is obvious yet often missed.
In simple terms: Explain ideas simply; truth is hidden by jargon.
Key Takeaway
Simplify communication to reveal truth.
Themes
communication
truth
simplicity
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
educational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- teaching
- public speaking
- writing
- coaching
Key Concepts
philosophy
education
mathematics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance simplicity and depth?
- When did jargon obscure understanding for you?
A Different Perspective
Oversimplification may lose nuance.