Okakura Kakuzō Quotes

In the liquid amber within the ivory porcelain, the initiated may touch the sweet reticence of Confucius, the piquancy of Laotse, and the ethereal aroma of Sakyamuni himself.

True beauty could be discovered only by one who mentally complete the incomplete.

Meanwhile, let us have a sip of tea. The afternoon glow is brightening the bamboos, the fountains are bubbling with delight, the soughing of the pines is heard in our kettle. Let us dream of evanescence and linger in the beautiful foolishness of things.

Fain would we remain barbarians, if our claim to civilization were to be based on the gruesome glory of war.

Our mind is the canvas on which the artists lay their colour; their pigments are our emotions; their chiaroscuro the light of joy, the shadow of sadness. The masterpiece is of ourselves, as we are of the masterpiece.

Approach a great painting as thou wouldst approach a great prince.

People are not taught to be really virtuous, but to behave properly.

We are ever brutal to those who love and serve us in silence, but the time may come when, for our cruelty, we shall be deserted by these best friends of ours.

Our standards of morality are begotten of the past needs of society, but is society to remain always the same?