--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Well! Being born into this world there…" description: "\"“Well! Being born into this world there are, I suppose, many aims which we may strive to attain. The Imperial Throne of the Mikado inspires us with the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/443/yoshida-kenk-15122_good-man_well-being-born-into-this-world-there-ar_1195226.jpg" --- # Well! Being born into this world there are, I suppose… ![“Well! Being born into this world there are, I suppose, many aims which we may strive to attain. The Imperial Throne of the Mikado inspires us with the greatest awe; even the uttermost leaf of the Imperial Family Tree is worthy of honour and very different from the rest of mankind. As to the…” quote by Yoshida Kenkō](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/443/yoshida-kenk-15122_good-man_well-being-born-into-this-world-there-ar_1195226.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/443/yoshida-kenk-15122_good-man_well-being-born-into-this-world-there-ar_1195226.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/443/yoshida-kenk-15122_good-man_well-being-born-into-this-world-there-ar_1195226.jpg) > ““Well! Being born into this world there are, I suppose, many aims which we may strive to attain. The Imperial Throne of the Mikado inspires us with the greatest awe; even the uttermost leaf of the Imperial Family Tree is worthy of honour and very different from the rest of mankind. As to the position of a certain august personage (i.e. the Mikado's regent) there can be no question, and those whose rank entitles them to a Palace Guard are very magnificent also - their sons and grandsons, even if they fall into poverty, are still gentlefolk. But when those who are of lower degree chance to rise in the world and assume an aspect of arrogance, though they may think themselves grand, it is very regrettable. Now there is no life so undesirable as that of a priest. Truly indeed did Sei Shô-nagon write, 'People think of them as if they were only chips of wood.' Their savage violence and loud shouting does not show them to advantage, and I feel sure that, as the sage Zôga said, their desire for notoriety is not in accordance with the sacred precepts of Buddha. To retire from the world in real earnest, on the contrary, is indeed praiseworthy, and some I hope there may be who are willing to do so. A man should preferably have pleasing features and a good style; one never tires of meeting those who can engage in some little pleasant conversation and who have an attractive manner, but who are not too talkative. It is a great pity, however, if a man's true character does not come up to his prepossessing appearance. One's features are fixed by nature; but, if we wish to, may we not change our hearts from good to better? For, if a man though handsome and good-natured has no real ability, his position will suffer, and in association with men of a less engaging aspect his deficiency will cause him to be thrown into the background, which is indeed a pity. The thing to aim at, therefore, is the path of true literature, the study of prose, poetry, and music; to be an accepted authority for others on ancient customs and ceremonies is also praiseworthy. One who is quick and clever at writing and sketching, who has a pleasant voice, who can beat time to music, and who does not refuse a little wine, even though he cannot drink much, is a good man.”” [Yoshida Kenkō](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yoshida-kenk/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage reflects on social hierarchy, the superficiality of status, and the value of inner virtue over outward appearance. **In simple terms:** Focus on inner character, not rank. Key Takeaway Cultivate humility and genuine skill. Themes humility virtue social hierarchy appearance vs reality Mood reflective critical Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - career advancement - personal development - leadership - social interactions Key Concepts Confucianism Buddhist ethics Japanese court culture Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance respect for tradition with personal authenticity? - What role does inner virtue play in modern leadership? A Different Perspective It may idealize aristocratic virtues without addressing systemic inequality. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Family Tree](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family-tree/) [Good man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-man/) [Poetry and music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry-and-music/) [True character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/true-character/) ## Related quotes > [There are tons of people in the West who love fiddles, banjos and mandolins. If you got to any cowboy poetry and music gathering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-martin-murphey/there-are-tons-of-people-in-the-west-who-love-fiddles-banjos-and/) [Michael Martin Murphey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-martin-murphey/) > [Poetry and music I have banished, But the stupidity Of root, shoot, blossom or clay Makes no demand. I bend my body to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-butler-yeats/poetry-and-music-i-have-banished-but-the-stupidity-of-root-shoot/) [William Butler Yeats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-butler-yeats/) > [I'm quite a softy, yes. 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But deep in himself he thought teaching the finest thing a person could do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-steiner/my-father-loved-poetry-and-music-but-deep-in-himself-he-thought/) [George Steiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-steiner/) > [I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expression of humanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/i-think-music-in-itself-is-healing-it-s-an-explosive-expression-of-2/) [Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) > [Why do comparisons of words and tone poems (poetry and music) never take into consideration that the word is a mere signifier, but that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-grillparzer/why-do-comparisons-of-words-and-tone-poems-poetry-and-music-never/) [Franz Grillparzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-grillparzer/) > [All poetry and music, and art of every true sort, bears witness to man's continual falling in love with beauty and his desperate attempt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bertram-phillips/all-poetry-and-music-and-art-of-every-true-sort-bears-witness-to-man/) [John Bertram Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bertram-phillips/) ## More by Yoshida Kenkō > [It is a most wonderful comfort to sit alone beneath a lamp, book spread before you, and commune with someone from the past whom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yoshida-kenk/it-is-a-most-wonderful-comfort-to-sit-alone-beneath-a-lamp-book/) [Yoshida Kenko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yoshida-kenk/) > [One should write not unskillfully in the running hand, be able to sing in a pleasing voice and keep good time to music; and,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yoshida-kenk/one-should-write-not-unskillfully-in-the-running-hand-be-able-to-sing/) [Yoshida Kenko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yoshida-kenk/) > [The true criminal must be defined as a man who commits a crime though he is as decently fed and clothed as others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yoshida-kenk/the-true-criminal-must-be-defined-as-a-man-who-commits-a-crime-though/) [Yoshida Kenko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yoshida-kenk/) > [“In everything, no matter what it may be, uniformity is undesirable. 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But such a man there cannot be;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yoshida-kenk/jos-kaiken-aikaa-t-ytyy-varoa-olemasta-eri-mielt/) [Yoshida Kenkō](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yoshida-kenk/) > [“It is a fine thing when a man who thoroughly understands a subject is unwilling to open his mouth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yoshida-kenk/it-is-a-fine-thing-when-a-man-who-thoroughly-understands-a-subject-is/) [Yoshida Kenkō](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yoshida-kenk/) > [“As a rule the tales which get abroad in the world are false. . . . People always exaggerate things. 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Being born into this world there are, I suppose, many aims which we may strive to attain. The Imperial Throne of the Mikado inspires us with the greatest awe; even the uttermost leaf of the Imperial Family Tree is worthy of honour and very different from the rest of mankind. As to the position of a certain august personage (i.e. the Mikado's regent) there can be no question, and those whose rank entitles them to a Palace Guard are very magnificent also - their sons and grandsons, even if they fall into poverty, are still gentlefolk. But when those who are of lower degree chance to rise in the world and assume an aspect of arrogance, though they may think themselves grand, it is very regrettable. Now there is no life so undesirable as that of a priest. Truly indeed did Sei Shô-nagon write, 'People think of them as if they were only chips of wood.' Their savage violence and loud shouting does not show them to advantage, and I feel sure that, as the sage Zôga said, their desire for notoriety is not in accordance with the sacred precepts of Buddha. To retire from the world in real earnest, on the contrary, is indeed praiseworthy, and some I hope there may be who are willing to do so. A man should preferably have pleasing features and a good style; one never tires of meeting those who can engage in some little pleasant conversation and who have an attractive manner, but who are not too talkative. It is a great pity, however, if a man's true character does not come up to his prepossessing appearance. One's features are fixed by nature; but, if we wish to, may we not change our hearts from good to better? For, if a man though handsome and good-natured has no real ability, his position will suffer, and in association with men of a less engaging aspect his deficiency will cause him to be thrown into the background, which is indeed a pity. The thing to aim at, therefore, is the path of true literature, the study of prose, poetry, and music; to be an accepted authority for others on ancient customs and ceremonies is also praiseworthy. 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