Verified wisdom · Quote Library v1.0
Every quotation used by Little Monk comes from this carefully limited library. Each source is marked by its level of traceability, so reflection remains grounded, honest and transparent.
Four paths of reflection
✅ “To study the Way is to study the self.” — Dōgen, Genjōkōan
✅ “To study the self is to forget the self.” — Dōgen, Genjōkōan
✅ “In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities; in the expert's mind there are few.” — Shunryū Suzuki
✅ “The mind must always be in the state of flowing.” — Takuan Sōhō
諺 “The reverse side also has a reverse side.”
✅ “When you do something, you should burn yourself completely, like a good bonfire.” — Shunryū Suzuki
◐ “Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise; seek what they sought.” — attributed to Bashō
✅ “Learn of the pine from the pine; of the bamboo from the bamboo.” — Bashō
諺 “Practice rather than study.”
諺 “Ask and be embarrassed once; do not ask and be embarrassed for life.”
✅ “In everything, uniformity is undesirable; leaving something incomplete makes it interesting.” — Yoshida Kenkō
諺 “Fall seven times, rise eight.”
諺 “Even monkeys fall from trees.”
諺 “When in a hurry, take the longer road.”
✅ “The rain has stopped, the clouds have drifted away, and the weather is clear again.” — Ryōkan
諺 “Tomorrow blows tomorrow's wind.”
諺 “Even dust, piled up, becomes a mountain.”
諺 “A journey of a thousand ri begins with a single step.”
諺 “Continuing is strength.”
諺 “Three years sitting on a stone will warm it.”
✅ “Zen is not some kind of excitement, but concentration on our usual everyday routine.” — Shunryū Suzuki
How Little Monk speaks
Little Monk uses wisdom sparingly and always turns reflection toward one small, practical action.