Disaster Prevention Day (83/09/01)
In Japan, today is the anniversary of the Great Tokyo Earthquake which occurred just 60 years ago on September 1st, 1923. As a result of that earthquake, some 100,000 lives were lost in the Tokyo-Yokohama area. To alert people to the dangers of such natural disasters and to educate them on safety measures, today is also called Disaster Prevention Day in Japan. The heart of the Chinese character for disaster is fire and it was because of the fires that followed the Tokyo earthquake that most lives were lost. In the African country of Libya, today is called Independence Day, for it was on this day in 1969 that Col Mu'ammer al Qadhafi overthrew the Libyan king and proclaimed the country a republic. However, this republic is ruled by a dictator, Mr. Qadhafi himself, who has been causing some minor earthquakes in various parts of the world because of his upsetting activities--most recently in the neighboring country of Chad. As we think about disaster prevention today, we should remember that there are also spiritual disasters that must be considered and the way to prevent them is by showing love, based on a healthy faith.
Television (83/09/02)
A number of English words begin with the prefix tele, which comes from a Greek word meaning far. Telephone means to speak from afar, telegraph--to write from afar and television--to see from afar. In England, a television set is familiarly referred to as the telly and in America it is colloquially called the tube. In Japan, it is known as terebi, but one must be careful about the pronunciation of the letters TV for there is a big difference in meaning them and TB, which is the abbreviation of tuberculosis. You may have a TV, but I hope you don't have TB! Yesterday, Nagoya became the 3rd city in Japan to have 6 television stations with 7 local channels. 14 years after the opening of Nagoya's 1st UHF station, Chukyo television on channel 35, TV Aichi has now begun its UHF broadcasting on channel 25. Foreigners who live in this area are happy, for there is now another possibility of viewing bilingual broadcasts. It is more relaxing and enjoyable to speak and hear in one's native language, so we can be thankful that when God speaks to us, he also uses the language we understand best.
Treaty of Paris (83/09/03)
Today is September the 3rd. Exactly 200 years ago today, on September 3, 1783, a peace treaty was signed in Paris between Great Britain and its breakaway colonies on the other side of the ocean which called themselves the United States of America. This Treaty of Paris formally ended the American Revolutionary War which began over 8 years earlier. It was exactly 44 years ago today, on September 3, 1939, that Great Britain and France declared war on Nazi Germany, which marked the beginning of World War II. On this day in 1963, just 20 years ago, the Tensei Jingo column of the Asahi Shinbun commented on the visit to Japan of former British Prime Minister Attlee and quoted from a speech he had made in Tokyo. "Wars begin in the hearts of men," he said. This is also the teaching of the New Testament, where it is written in James, chapter 4, "What causes wars and what causes fightings among you? Is it not your passions that are at war in your members?" On this anniversary day of the end of one war and the beginning of another, let us remember that true peace also begins within the heart.
About "Daily Word" (83/09/04)
Hello! This is "Daily Word". For you who first learned about this telephone service through the article in the Asahi Shinbun yesterday evening, I will use today's message to give a further explanation. Usually 1 change the tape every night between 11:30 and midnight. If you want to avoid getting a busy signal when you call, the best time to call is after midnight. If you wish to record these messages on your own cassette tape, you may use a special telephone pick-up microphone available at electrical equipment stores. To receive a typewritten copy of these messages each week, please send me a self-addressed, stamped envelope plus ¥100 in stamps for each week of messages you desire. I send these copies out every Saturday. In Tuesday messages, I give a subject for listeners to write a short essay on if they wish. I correct those sent to me and print them in the little publication called "Daily Word" Echoes, which is published on the 5th Sunday of the month when we hold a meeting of listeners. My address is: "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Host Office 463. Goodbye!
Labor Day (83/09/05)
In Japan and in most other industrial countries of the world, the 1st day of May, May Day, is the day to honor laboring men and women. It commemorates a labor demonstration by American labor unions in 1886. In the United States itself, however, and in Canada, Labor Day is a national holiday celebrated on this 1st Monday of September. The day was chosen in 1882 by Peter McGuire, one of America's early labor leaders, because "it would come at the most pleasant season of the year, nearly midway between the 4th of July (the American Independence Day) and Thanksgiving Day. Jesus was a carpenter, so he knew the problems of laborers. He said, in John 6:27, "Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life." Is that the kind of food you are laboring for? On the 1st and 3rd Tuesday evenings of the month at 6:30, I teach a Bible Class in Japanese which meets at the City Kyōikukan in Sakae, west of the Aichi Bunka Kōdō. Tomorrow, we will study the 10th chapter of the Gospel according to John. You are invited to attend if you are interested.
Essays welcome to Daily Word Echoes (83/09/06)
Today is Tuesday, the day I suggest a theme for a short essay. If you write an essay and send it to me, I will correct it and have it printed in the next issue of "Daily Word" Echoes, to be published the end of October. If you keep a copy of the essay, you can tell what corrections I made. Jesus told his disciples not to take the sword, but to live in peace with all people. Recently, 2 sad events occurred in Asia with world-wide repercussions. In the Philippines, an unarmed man, Benigno Aquino, was assassinated by a single bullet when he arrived back in his homeland after 3 years of exile in the United States. In the USSR, an unarmed Korean Airline plane with 269 people aboard was shot down by a missile from a Soviet aircraft. Both of these incidents have a number of dubious or questionable elements related to them. What is your reaction to either one or both of them? What do these incidents indicate about the particular countries involved? I would be interested in reading your viewpoint. Send the essay to: "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office 463.
Brazil (83/09/07)
Do you know which is the 5th largest country in the world, following the USSR, Canada, China and the USA? It is the largest country in South America. Of the other 12 South American countries, only 2 do not share a border with it. Its flag has a green field, in the center of which is a yellow diamond, in the center of which is a blue globe with the motto: Ordem e Progreso. The country, of course, is Brazil, whose name comes from a Portuguese word meaning "live coal". Today is Brazil's independence Day. Her independence was proclaimed on September 7, 1822, 161 years ago. Brazil is about 22 1/2 times the size of Japan, but it has only about 12,000,000 more people. The official language of the country is Portuguese. 62% of the population is of European descent and 93% are Roman Catholic. Although Brazil has many natural resources, it is still a poor country. Riches hidden in the ground may make a country rich in theory, but unless those riches are used they are of no practical value. So it is with the talents and gifts God has given us. They must be used to be of value.
Runaway children (83/09/08)
When people are in a hurry, instead of walking, they run. To run means to go rapidly or to move swiftly. Runaway refers to someone or something that has broken loose from some control. For example, when prices rise rapidly, we have runaway inflation and when a baseball team beats another team by a large score, we may call that game a runaway. Some lovers run away to get married, which we call eloping. Every year at this time there are children that run away from home. On Tuesday, the Nakamura Police Station took into custody 13 children who had run away. So far this month, that police station had picked up 44 runaways, but 13 in one day was the record number. There are a number of reasons why children run away from home. In the 15th chapter of the Gospel according to Luke, Jesus told a story about a son who ran away from home. We call that story the Parable of the Prodigal Son. In that parable, the prodigal son represents us human beings who were created by God, but who turned our backs on him and went our own ways. Spiritual peace and joy are found when we return to our heavenly Father and live in fellowship with him.
Chrysanthemum Festival (83/09/09)
Today is the 9th day of the 9th month. It is the last of the traditional 5 annual festivals, or gosekku, in Japan. It is known as the Chrysanthemum Festival. However, chrysanthemums are not yet in bloom on this day of the present solar calendar, so this festival is not so popular as the Doll Festival, Boys' Festival and Tanabata. This was an important festival in the Edo Era when feudal lords were expected to call on the shōgun. The emperor used to hold banquets on this day. Since the chrysanthemum is the symbol of the imperial family, along with the cherry blossoms, it may be considered symbolic of Japan. The English word "chrysanthemum" comes from 2 Greek words meaning "golden flower". In this case, however, "golden" refers primarily to preciousness rather than to color. Because the word is so long, it is frequently shortened to "mum". In Matthew, chapter 6, Jesus told his disciples to look at the flowers and consider how God cares for them and gives them such beautiful clothes. He taught that the heavenly Father will also provide our needs, so we should trust in him.
Fleas (83/09/10)
A flea is a small, wingless, jumping insect. It is a parasite that sucks the blood of its host. Although a fleabite is very small, it can be very irritating. The Polish news agency has reported that a resident of Gdansk recently visited a government office with a bottle full of fleas that he had collected from his apartment. He threatened to release those fleas in that office unless the officials promised to come and disinfect his apartment. The officials protested that there was a shortage of insecticides, but, the agency reported, "after a stormy session the frightened clerks promised to send a disinfecting team to his apartment block as soon as possible." The man vowed to return if they did not keep their promise. This man wants the fleas to flee from his apartment so he can be free of them. Note the difference in pronunciation between flee and free. The Bible teaches that Christ frees believers from sin and that they can flee to God for help in time of trouble. If you want to receive a typewritten copy of this week's telephone messages, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope plus ¥100 in stamps to: "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office 463.
High School Student lost (83/09/11)
Last Thursday evening, the police received an emergency call from the Port of Nagoya. It was from a teacher who was on a school excursion with 36 high school students. Their boat was ready to leave for Sendai, but one of the students, a 17 year old boy in his 2nd year, was missing. Some harbor men checked to see if he had fallen into the ocean, but he could not be found. The boat left at 6:30 without him. 45 minutes later he was found by the police. During his free time he had gone shopping and on the return trip he had gotten off at the wrong bus stop. He was lost! He and the teacher who remained behind then left for Sendai by train. It may be a frightening experience to be lost in a strange place. In the Bible, sometimes people are referred to as lost sheep who are wandering aimlessly through life. Jesus is referred to as the Good Shepherd who came to find the lost sheep and to lead them back to their Creator and heavenly Father. Just as it is fearful to be lost, it is wonderful to be found! This is "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office 463.
Henry Hudson (83/09/12)
One of the famous rivers in the United States is called the Hudson River. It is about 500 kilometers long, which is not so long by American standards. It flows down from the mountains in upper New York state into the bay at New York City. A portion of the river serves as the state boundary between New York and New Jersey. The famous George Washington Bridge spans this river. The Hudson River was named for Henry Hudson, an English explorer, who first entered it on September 12, 1609, 374 years ago today. Hudson has failed in his earlier attempts to find a northeast water passage to Asia from Europe and it was during his attempt to find a northwest passage that he entered this river that now bears his name. As he sailed up the river in the same boat in which he crossed the ocean, many American Indians paddled out in their canoes, bringing gifts or items to be traded. Although Hudson failed to achieve his primary aim, he did make important discoveries. In our lives also, we may fail in one area but still be successful in another. We should not be discouraged by failure but keep trying. Success may come in an unexpected way.
Kimigayo (83/09/13)
The song that is popularly considered Japan's national anthem begins with the words kimigayo in reference to the reign of the emperors. It expresses the hope that this imperial reign will last until pebbles become rocks covered with moss. This is an old poem that dates from the Heian Era. 90 years ago, the Ministry of Education advised schools to sing it on special occasions and during the war it was associated with fervid nationalistic feeling. Although it has been referred to as the national anthem, it has never been officially designated as such. Do you think it is an appropriate national song for present day Japan? Do you know the song by heart? What thoughts do you have regarding whether or not it should be considered Japan's national anthem? This will be the last subject suggested for essays to be included in the next issue of "Daily Word" Echoes, to be published for our next listeners' meeting on October 30th. Send your essays for correction and publication to "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office 463. Christians consider God as their King and his kingdom is more basic and longer lasting than any earthly kingdom.
The Star-Spangled Banner (83/09/14)
Some states in the U.S. observe today, September 14, as National Anthem Day for it was on this day in 1814 that Francis Scott Key wrote the poem that became the national anthem. During the War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain, Key was on a ship on the night the British bombarded Ft. McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland. Over 1500 shells, weighing as much as 100 kilograms each, were fired at the fort. Through the night, brightened by the cannon fire, Key could see the American flag with its stars and stripes waving and wrote this poem on the back of an envelope. It begins with words, "Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?" Each stanza ends with a reference to the "star-spangled banner" waving "o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave." The Star-Spangled Banner was designated the National Anthem by an act of Congress in 1931. Another poet wrote a poem after looking at the star-spangled night sky in which he marvelled that the Creator of the stars is also concerned about us human beings. That poem is now the 8th Psalm in the Old Testament.
Keiro no Hi (83/09/15)
Today, September 15th, is a holiday in Japan. When this holiday was instituted in 1951, it was called toshiyori no hi, or Old Folk's Day. In 1964, the name was changed to keiro no hi, or Respect for the Aged Day, In America these days, we usually refer to older people as Senior Citizens. That seems more polite than calling them old people. Somerset Maugham has written that old age is "the time when you are ready to undertake tasks that youth shirked because they would take too long." In European history, the Middle Ages refer to the period between the ancient and modern times. In a person's life, the period between youth and old age is called middle age. It is the age when a person is told to slow down by a doctor instead of a policeman. Personally, I am getting to appreciate the saying in the Old Testament book of Proverbs, chapter 16, verse 31, that "grey hair is a glorious crown." And in Isaiah 46:4 is found the promise: "I am your God and will take care of you until you are old and your hair is grey." The person with a healthy faith in God need not fear the future.
Mexico (83/09/16)
Three years ago today, on September 16, 1980, the city of Nagoya and the city of Sydney in Australia officially became sister cities. That was 2 1/2 years after sister city ties were established with Mexico City. Today is Independence Day in Mexico. It was on this day in 1810, 173 years ago, that Mexico's revolutionary movement against Spain began. Independence was finally achieved 11 years later. Less than 30 years afterward, Mexico was forced to give up half its territory to its neighbor to the north. Approximately 1/4 of the present United States territory formerly belonged to Mexico. I spent a summer term as a student at the University of Mexico many years ago and lived with a Mexican family. Since the Japanese pronunciation of most foreign countries' names is close to the native pronunciation, I am surprised that the English pronunciation of that country's name is used in Japan rather than the Spanish pronunciation of Me-hi-ko. Mañana, meaning tomorrow, is a common word in Mexico with its unhurried life style. Jesus taught that we should not worry about tomorrow but trust in God for our future needs.
Citizenship Day (83/09/17)
As you know, a ship is a vessel, larger than a boat, that floats on the water. However, there are also a number of nouns that end in "ship". As a suffix, ship may refer to a rank or office as in kingship or governorship. It may refer to an ability or skill as in penmanship or leadership. Or, it may refer to a quality or condition as in fellowship, friendship or citizenship. In the United States, today, September 17th, is proclaimed each year by the president as Citizenship Day. It was on this day in 1787 that the United States Constitution was signed by the delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia which met under the chairmanship of George Washington, who later became the country's first president. Until 1952, this day was called Constitution Day, but now it is known as Citizenship Day to emphasize the rights and obligations of those who are American citizens. According to the New Testament book of Philippians, chapter 3, verse 20, the Christian's citizenship is in haven. Christians recognize God's kingship and consider themselves citizens of his kingdom in which they enjoy fellowship under his leadership.
Honest taxi drivers (83/09/18)
What would you do if you suddenly found a hundred million yen? A news item in yesterday's newspaper told of a couple of taxi drivers who had such an experience last spring. In the evening of May the 2nd, these 2 men were waiting for customers at an intersection in Sasebo. A station wagon had stopped at the intersection for a traffic light. When it started up, the back door flew open and a bag fell out. They picked it up wad opened it. Inside was ¥101,500,000. While one man informed a nearby police sub-station, the other tried to follow and catch the station wagon but failed to do so. From the payment slips found inside the bag, it was clear that it belonged to Shinwa Bank. The bank recognized carelessness of those transporting the money and rewarded the 2 taxi drivers with 5% of the bag's contents, or ¥5,075,000. Although these men are not as rich as if they had kept all the money themselves, they have a clear conscience. Shakespeare wrote that "No legacy is so rich as honesty," and a 1st century B.C. moralist wrote that "God looks at the clean hands, not the full ones. "
Kiwi (83/09/19)
Have you ever eaten kiwi fruit? Yesterday's newspaper notes that Nagoyans have become very interested in this fruit that is grown in the Togokusan Fruit Park. Kiwi fruit is native to New Zealand. Kiwi, spelled k-i-w-i, is the name of a peculiar New Zealand bird about the size of a chicken, but without wings. The male kiwi utters a hoarse, shrill whistle that sounds like "kee-wee", and that's how it got its name. Because the fruit resembles the shape and color of the bird, it also is called kiwi. The Fruit Park is getting many calls from people asking how to cultivate kiwi fruit, which grows on a vine like grapes. When trained on a trellis like wisteria, the vine may provide shade in a garden as well as bearing fruit. There are many different varieties of fruit trees in the Togokusan Fruit Park. In Matthew, chapter 5, Jesus taught that the true character of people can be discerned by the fruit they bear, that is, by their deeds. What kind of fruit are you bearing? Tomorrow evening at 6:30 at the City Kyōikukan in Sakae, our fortnightly Bible Study in Japanese will be held. Join us if you can.
Phones busy (83/09/20)
Today's message contains a report, an announcement and a request, so please listen carefully. The day after an article about this telephone service appeared in the evening edition of the Asahi on September 3rd, 567 calls were received in one day and other callers never did get through because the line was always busy. Some people called the telephone company to ask them to investigate. They did and found out that even now, during rush hour periods, more callers are getting busy signals than are getting through. They suggested that I put in a 2nd telephone to handle the calls more effectively. I have decided to do so. Tomorrow, a 2nd phone and a 2nd answer phone machine will be installed. The cost of these 2 new devices is about ¥80,000. If you would like to share the cost for this added convenience, which should lessen your frustration, you may do so. I have opened a post office savings transfer account (yubin furikae koza) in the name of deiri-wa-do. If 80 callers would each deposit ¥1000 into that account, this expense would be covered. I will give the account number in tomorrow's message, so please have pencil and paper at hand when you call.
A fund-raising campaign (83/09/21)
Kanpa is a Japanese word derived from the Russian word kampaniia, which is similar to the English word "campaign". Campaign refers to some organized action to attain a particular goal, but in Japanese, kanpa refers to a fund-raising campaign. I am now conducting a kanpa to pay for an additional telephone and answer phone machine, costing ¥80,000. You may contribute to this kanpa by making a deposit in the yūbin furikae kōza of deiri-wa-do, Nagoya #3-37078, Nagoya 3-37078. If 80 listeners contribute ¥1000 each, the goal will be reached. Any excess funds will be used to pay the monthly phone bill which will now be increased to ¥3600 a month. Now, you should get fewer busy signals when you call. In II Corinthians 9:7, it is written that people should not contribute reluctantly or under pressure, for God loves a "cheerful giver". So do I. This is "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office 463.
Adam's apple (83/09/22)
Cartilage is tough, elastic animal tissue that is like a bone, but not that hard. There are cartilages in the throat, one of which is particularly obvious in the throats of males. In Japanese, this hard piece of cartilage, that usually remains even after cremation, is called the throat buddha, or nodo-botoke. It is said to have the shape of a sitting buddha. In English, we call it the Adam's apple. In Hebrew, adham means "man" and the Hebrew term referring to this cartilage may be interpreted as protuberance on a man or apple of Adam. It is not true that it was named after a bit of forbidden fruit that got stuck in Adam's throat after he was tempted by his wife. The Bible story of man's temptation and fall, found in Genesis, chapter 3, does not indicate what kind of fruit was on that tree in the Garden of Eden, but a proverb quoted in the Old Testament book of Ezekiel, chapter 18, verse 2, indicates that the fruit a father eats may affect the lives of his children, and so it was with Adam.
Shūbun no hi (83/09/23)
Today is a holiday in Japan called shūbun no hi, day of autumn division. In English, we call this day the autumnal equinox. Equinox comes from 2 Latin words meaning "equal night". Today, night and day are of equal length. In Japan, this season is also called higan, referring to the "other shore", that is, the world of the dead, because on this day the sun sets directly in the west, which is said to be the direction of Amida Buddha's paradise. In Christian thought, we don't think of paradise, or heaven, being in any special direction other than up. Today is not a holiday in western countries and there is no particular religious significance attached to this day. It is a Friday, however, and when I was young, it was the custom for members of the Roman Catholic Church in America to abstain from eating meat on Fridays, in commemoration of Jesus' death on the cross which occurred on that day. Many Japanese will be making offerings of food to their ancestors today. According to the New Testament book of Romans, chapter 12, verse 1, the offering that God desires is the offering up of ourselves in loving service.
A Nanshiki Baseball game (83/09/24)
On Monday mornings, when the weather and time permit, I enjoy playing tennis with some friends. We play so-called "hardball tennis", which is the only kind of tennis played in America, so far as I know. I never heard of softball tennis and had never seen such a ball until I came to Japan. In America, softball refers to a kind of baseball, which is softer and larger than a regular baseball. Softball games in America are played on a smaller diamond and the ball is pitched underhand rather than overhand. On the other hand, Japanese nanshiki yakyō uses a smaller ball than in regular baseball which is made of rubber. The final game of the 38th All-Japan Nanshiki Baseball Tournament held this week in Mito, Ibaragi Prefecture, became the longest baseball game in history. For 34 innings, there was no score. In the 35th inning, both teams scored one run and the game finally ended with a 2-1 score at the end of 45 innings and 8 hours, 19 minutes of play. The losing pitcher remained throughout the game, making a record 522 pitches! In sports as in life, we should do our best and leave the result to God.
A surprising walker (83/09/25)
Many years ago when my elder son was a high school student, he and his friend decided they would walk from Nagoya to Lake Nojiri, north of Nagano, one summer. They started out in good spirits and walked for 2 days and got beyond Nakatsugawa, but their feet were sore and they decided to go the rest of the way by train. Last week, a 30 year old Englishman named George Meegan finished a walk he began almost 6 years ago. He walked from the southern tip of South America to the Arctic Ocean on the northern coast of Alaska. That was a distance of 30,434 kilometers. Calculating the distance on Japan National Railways from Wakanai in northern Hokkaido to Kagoshima in southern Kyushu, I find the distance is approximately 3,100 kilometers. Mr. Meegan's walk was almost 10 times that long. In the Bible, life is sometimes referred to as a journey and "walk" refers to our daily behavior. In the New Testament letter to the Ephesians, chapter 5, Christians are urged to walk in love, to walk as children of light and to walk wisely, making the most of our time because the days are evil.
Typhoon #15 hit Nagoya (83/09/26)
Typhoon #10 is now causing rainy, windy weather in Japan. 24 years ago today, typhoon #15 hit Nagoya at night at high tide, resulting in the deaths of 1851 people. If you lived in this area at that time, you certainly remember it. At our house, my cousin, her husband and 2 children were visiting us for a few days enroute from the United States to Korea, where they are missionaries. We were planning to take them out for a sukiyaki dinner that night, but the weather changed our plans. Instead, we stayed at home, listening to the radio warnings, stuffing towels around the windows, putting buckets and pans on the floor to catch the water drops and finally watching half of our living room ceiling fall to the floor. It was an interesting, scary night through which the 5 children peacefully slept. In the story of the storm on the lake, recorded in the Gospel of Mark, chapter 4, Jesus' disciples were very fearful, but Jesus was peacefully sleeping. When they awakened him, he asked, "Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?" Fearful hearts imply a lack of faith.
Samuel Adams (83/09/27)
Today, September 27, is the birthday of Samuel Adams. Have you ever heard of him? Adams is a highly respected name in the Boston area of the United States and in American history. Samuel's 2nd cousin, John Adams, was the 1st vice-president of the United States and the 2nd president, and John's son was the 6th president. Samuel Adams was born on this day in 1722 in Boston. After graduating from Harvard College, he failed in a number of business undertakings but become active in local politics. He was at the forefront of opposition to England's oppressive laws and was one of the early and most vocal agitators for independence. He was a radical who was deeply involved in almost all the important events that led to the American Revolution. He was one of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence and later became governor of the state of Massachusetts. Of course, Adams' Christian name, Samuel, comes from the Old Testament prophet. In I Samuel 15:22, Samuel told King Saul that to obey God is better than to offer sacrifices, for God desires obedience rather than ritualistic acts.
Confucius (83/09/28)
"Beautiful words are seldom associated with true virtue." These are the words of the Chinese sage, Confucius. Confucius was born over 2,500 years ago and today is a national holiday in Taiwan in commemoration of his birth. Confucius was a scholar who was upset with the constant warfare between Chinese states and the corruption among their rulers. He advocated a system of morality which would preserve peace and promote a stable and just government. Confucius failed in his attempts to gain an important government position in order to put his theories into practice, but his moral teachings have been the basis of Chinese social relationships for almost 2 1/2 millenia. Japan has also been greatly influenced by Confucian thought, although in recent years political ethics may be more accurately characterized by the word "confusion" rather than "Confucian". Another of the many pithy sayings of Confucius that is worth remembering is the following; "The real fault is to have faults and not to amend them." This is "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office 463; Yūbin Furikae Kōza Number Nagoya 3-37078.
Television (83/09/02)
Treaty of Paris (83/09/03)
About "Daily Word" (83/09/04)
Labor Day (83/09/05)
Essays welcome to Daily Word Echoes (83/09/06)
Brazil (83/09/07)
Runaway children (83/09/08)
Chrysanthemum Festival (83/09/09)
Fleas (83/09/10)
High School Student lost (83/09/11)
Henry Hudson (83/09/12)
Kimigayo (83/09/13)
The Star-Spangled Banner (83/09/14)
Keiro no Hi (83/09/15)
Mexico (83/09/16)
Citizenship Day (83/09/17)
Honest taxi drivers (83/09/18)
Kiwi (83/09/19)
Phones busy (83/09/20)
A fund-raising campaign (83/09/21)
Adam's apple (83/09/22)
Shūbun no hi (83/09/23)
A Nanshiki Baseball game (83/09/24)
A surprising walker (83/09/25)
Typhoon #15 hit Nagoya (83/09/26)
Samuel Adams (83/09/27)
Confucius (83/09/28)
A Spanish explorer (83/09/29)
The Vulgate Version (83/09/30)
Disaster Prevention Day (83/09/01)