Custom Moderation Chinese & Japanese Calligraphy Wall Scroll

Characters shown
above are read
vertically, starting
from the right

This is an except from the 67th Chapter of Lao Tzu's (Lao Zi's) Te-Tao Ching (Dao De Jing). This is the part where the three treasures are discussed. In English, we'd say these three treasures are compassion, frugality, and humility. Some may translate these as love, moderation, and lack of arrogance. I have also seen them translated as benevolence, modesty, and "Not presuming to be at the forefront in the world". You can mix them up the way you want, as translation is not really a science but rather an art.

I should also explain that the first two treasures are single-character ideas, yet the third treasure was written out in six characters (there are also some auxiliary characters to number the treasures).

If Lao Tzu's words are important to you, then a wall scroll with this passage might make a great addition to your home.

The first character means "modest". The second means "respectful".

See Also...  Modesty | Purity

In Chinese and Korean, the first character means "modest". The second means "empty". Together these characters reinforce the ideas of modesty and being empty of ego.

This can also be translated as humbleness or humility.

In Japan, they tend to use a slightly-simplified version of the second Kanji for this word. It also happens to be an alternate/simplified version used in China too. If you want to order the modern Japanese/simplified version, just click in the Kanji image shown to the right, instead of the button above.

In Japanese, first Kanji means "self-effacing", "humble oneself", "condescend", "be modest". The second means "void" or "emptiness".

This is the most common way to say humble or modest in Japanese without a derogatory meaning (some other words suggest weakness, but this version holds a better humble meaning).

Being humble is considering others to be as important as yourself. You are thoughtful of their needs and willing to be of service. You don't expect others or yourself to be perfect. You learn from your mistakes. When you do great things, humility reminds you to be thankful instead of boastful.

These characters can also be translated as modesty.

Also sometimes used in Japanese to express humility with an essence of modesty.

See Also...  Modesty | Humility

Moderation is creating a healthy balance in your life between work and play, rest and exercise. You don't overdo or get swept away by the things you like. You use your self-discipline to take charge of your life and your time.

This word can also be translated as "self-restraint" or "temperance".

See Also...  Prudence | Ethics | Humble | Humility

We have also used this word as "Humility" in another listing. Depending on context, it can be translated as modesty, humbleness or humility. The first character means "modesty" while the second means "yielding". Together it could be stated as "yielding modesty".

See Also...  Chastity | Prudence

Can also mean "cautious" or "careful".

Note: The Chinese and Japanese form is shown here. In Korean Hanja, the first character has a variant in one of the strokes - just let me know when you place your order if you want that Korean version (A Korean who can read Hanja, will know the meaning anyway).

Note: If you order this selection from our Japanese calligrapher, the first Kanji will vary slightly. It is technically the same character, but Japanese tend to leave a space between the upper and lower portions of this particular Kanji (see image to the right).

Note: Also considered to be one of the Seven Heavenly Virtues.

See Also...   Modesty | Chastity

In short, temperance is knowing when to say "when".

Temperance is the practice of moderation and restraint (in fact, this Asian word is often translated as moderation or restraint).

It was one of the five tenets held to be vital to society in Hellenic culture. It is also one of the Four Cardinal Virtues considered central to Christian behavior by the Catholic Church.

Note: Also considered to be one of the Seven Heavenly Virtues.