Books Quote by Kojisei
““Men know how to read printed books; they do not know how to read the unprinted ones. They can play on a stringed harp, but not on a stringless one. Applying themselves to the superficial instead of the profound, how should they understand music or poetry? From the Saikontan , by Kojisei (circa 1600) cited in Haiku by Robert Blyth, circa 1947 Tokyo, p. 73. ””
About This Quote
Source Poem: Saikontan, cited in Haiku by Robert Blyth, 1947
People grasp superficial knowledge but lack depth to understand profound truths.
In simple terms: Surface knowledge vs deep understanding.
Key Takeaway
Seek deeper learning beyond appearances.
Themes
knowledge
depth
music
poetry
Mood
contemplative
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
poetic
When to use this quote
- education
- art criticism
- spiritual practice
- self‑study
Key Concepts
epistemology
aesthetic theory
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “unprinted” knowledge mean?
- How can you cultivate deeper insight?
A Different Perspective
May be too abstract for practical use.
