The Philosophy of “Ryoyaku wa kuchi ni nigashi”

"Ryoyaku wa kuchi ni nigashi," a popular Japanese saying originating from Confucius' teachings, is literally translated as "A good medicine for illness tastes bitter to the mouth." This phrase serves as a semantic example illustrating that sincere admonitions and advice can often be challenging to accept, even though they are highly beneficial. When we encounter someone delivering unpleasant words directed at us, it is natural to feel offended. In certain situations, this offense can escalate into strong upset emotions. However, it is advisable to pause and consider whether these unpleasant words are akin to a good medicine or merely a form of unreasonable criticism. If the words resemble a good medicine, it is in our best interest to swallow them immediately. We should reflect on how they can contribute to our personal improvement and engage in positive self-suggestion, treating them as a stroke of good luck while striving to remain free from any lingering feelings of offense. Conversely, if the words resemble a bad medicine, it is wise to discard them without dwelling on the sense of being offended.

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