Tales of Old Japan - Maybe You Like It

of having learned thoroughly to understand good money. Having once
been taught in this way, the apprentices would not make a mistake about
a piece of base coin during their whole lives, as I have heard. I can't
vouch for the truth of this; but it is very certain that the principle, applied
to moral instruction, is an excellent one,—it is a most safe mode of
study. However, I was further told that if, after having thus learned to
distinguish good money, a man followed some other trade for six
months or a year, and gave up handling money, he would become just
like any other inexperienced person, unable to distinguish the good from
the base.
Please reflect upon this attentively. If you once render yourself familiar
with the nature of the uncorrupted heart, from that time forth you will
be immediately conscious of the slightest inclination towards bias or
selfishness. And why? Because the natural heart is illumined. When a
man has once learned that which is perfect, he will never consent to accept
that which is imperfect; but if, after having acquired this knowledge,
he again keeps his natural heart at a distance, and gradually forgets
to recognize that which is perfect, he finds himself in the dark again,
and that he can no longer distinguish base money from good. I beg you
to take care. If a man falls into bad habits, he is no longer able to perceive
the difference between the good impulses of his natural heart and the
evil impulses of his corrupt heart. With this benighted heart as a startingpoint,
he can carry out none of his intentions, and he has to lift his
shoulders sighing and sighing again. A creature much to be pitied indeed!
Then he loses all self-reliance, so that, although it would be better
for him to hold his tongue and say nothing about it, if he is in the slightest
trouble or distress, he goes and confesses the crookedness of his heart
to every man he meets. What a wretched state for a man to be in! For this
reason, I beg you to learn thoroughly the true silver of the heart, in order
that you may make no mistake about the base coin. I pray that you and I,
during our whole lives, may never leave the path of true principles.
I have an amusing story to tell you in connection with this, if you will
be so good as to listen.
Once upon a time, when the autumn nights were beginning to grow
chilly, five or six tradesmen in easy circumstances had assembled together
to have a chat; and, having got ready their picnic box and wine-flask,
went off to a temple on the hills, where a friendly priest lived, that they
might listen to the stags roaring. With this intention they went to call
upon the priest, and borrowed the guests' apartments 113 of the monastery;
and as they were waiting to hear the deer roar, some of the party
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