Quotes from Matsuo Basho

Mountain-rose petals Falling, falling, falling now... Waterfall music

Calm and serene The sound of a cicada Penetrates the rock.

Sitting quietly, doing nothing, Spring comes, and the grass grows, by itself.

Learn about a pine tree from a pine tree, and about a bamboo plant from a bamboo plant.

Without bitterest cold that penetrates to the very bone, how can plum blossoms send forth their fragrance all over the world?

Every moment of life is the last, every poem is a death poem.

The temple bell stops but I still hear the sound coming out of the flowers.

Now the swinging bridge Is quieted with creepers ... Like our tendrilled life.

Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Seek what they sought.

Why so scrawny, cat? Starving for fat fish or mice... Or backyard love?

Come, butterfly It's late- We've miles to go together.

Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home.

No matter where your interest lies, you will not be able to accomplish anything unless you bring your deepest devotion to it.

The journey itself is my home.

Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise; seek what they sought.

Between our two lives there is also the life of the cherry blossom.

Sadly, I part from you; Like a clam torn from its shell, I go, and autumn too.

There is nothing you can see that is not a flower; there is nothing you can think that is not the moon.

Harvest moon: around the pond I wander and the night is gone.

Make the universe your companion, always bearing in mind the true nature of things-mountains and rivers, trees and grasses, and humanity-and enjoy the falling blossoms and the scattering leaves.

From the pine tree, learn of the pine tree; And from the bamboo, of the bamboo

The oak tree: not interested in cherry blossoms.

From all these trees, in the salads, the soup, everywhere, cherry blossoms fall.

Felling a tree and gazing at the cut end - tonight's moon