I randomly came across a reference to this today – it’s an English translation of a collection of essays by a Japanese monk, written ca. anno 1330. For some reason it caught my attention, so I did a little research, found some stuff on wikipedia, and a downloadable version of the book. There’s a lot of observations in there, small stories, essays, and philosophy, about a whole range of topics – women, on making good of your time, work, life – here’s a few of my favourite quotes so far:

Against Rash Temerity

A man who was reputed to be a very clever backgammon player was once asked what was his special method ; and he said, ‘You should not play to win, but you should play so as not to lose. After carefully considering which move will soonest lose the game, do not play it, but make the one move which will delay defeat as long as possible.’
This is the teaching of those who know the Way, and the same rule applies to self-conduct and the government of the state. (pp. 87)

Against Pedantry

But in all matters, alas! men of shallow intellect ever seek after oddities and love the abnormal. (pp. 91)

On Good And Bad Friends

There are also three kinds of friends who are good. First, those who are generous; second, doctors; and third, those who have wisdom. (pp. 91)

On The Indications of Vulgarity

Things which are made all exactly the same are doubtless the work of those who have but little taste ; ’tis better to have dissimilarity ; and he is certainly right.
Generally speaking, uniformity in anything at all is bad ; it is better to leave a little imperfection, thereby your life (being more natural) will be prolonged. There are some who say that when a palace is being built, you should never fail to leave one little piece of it uncompleted. (pp. 67)

Read more about Tsurezuregusa on Wikipedia
- Or download the book here, as PDF