One of the things I love about Zen is the emphasis on simplicity. These proverbs cover a lot of ground in only a few words. Books could be written considering the philosophical implications of each one, yet they stand alone as-is. It's amazing that such wisdom can be contained in such a small space. Appreciate these-- they're short, sweet, and easy to remember.
Be master of mind rather than mastered by mind.
To know and not do is not yet to know.
Sit, walk, or run, but don't wobble.
Do not seek the truth, only cease to cherish your opinions.
If you understand, things are just as they are; if you do not understand, things are just as they are.
In studying the way, realizing it is hard; once you have realized it, preserving it is hard. When you can preserve it, putting it into practice is hard.
Better to sit all night than to go to bed with a dragon.
One day a student asked Taiga, "What is the most difficult part of painting?" Taiga answered,
"The part of the paper where nothing is painted is the most difficult."
The infinite is in the finite of every instant.
The tighter you squeeze, the less you have.
When the pupil is ready to learn,
a teacher will appear.
