Matsuo Basho Life Quotations

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

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

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

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

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