19 Quotes by Sei Shōnagon

30. InsectsThe fly should have been included in my list of hateful things; for such an odious creature does not belong with ordinary insects...

14. Hateful Things: Someone has suddenly fallen ill and one summons the exorcist. Since he is not home, one has to send messages to look for him. After one has had a long fretful wait, the exorcist finally arrives, and with a sigh of relief one asks him to start his incantations. But perhaps he has been exorcising too many evil spirits recently; for hardly has he installed himself and begun praying when his voice becomes drowsy. Oh, how hateful!

When crossing a river in bright moonlight, I love to see the water scatter in showers of crystal beneath the oxen's feet.

Someone who butts in when you're talking and smugly provides the ending herself. Indeed anyone who butts in, be they child or adult, is most infuriating.

A man who has nothing in particular to recommend him discusses all sorts of subjects at random as if he knew everything.

To wash one’s hair, make one’s toilet, and put on scented robes; even if not a soul sees one, these preparations still produce an inner pleasure.

There is nothing in the whole world so painful as feeling that one is not liked.

A good lover will behave just as elegantly at dawn as at any other time.

If someone with whom one is having an affair keeps on mentioning some woman whom he knew in the past, however long ago it is since they separated, one is always irritated.