Kokoro

by Natsume Sōseki

Monumenta Nipponica

For all his unresponsiveness to others’ affection, I now see, it was not them he despised but himself.

She kindly assured me that it would be a fine opportunity to alleviate the boredom of her childless life.

I laughed and raised my hat. Sensei’s face just then made me wonder where in his heart he could be nursing a hatred of the human race. I detected not the least trace of misanthropy in that smile or those warm eyes.

Just then the paper was filled daily with news that made us country folk eager to read every issue. I would sit beside my father going carefully through its pages, and if I didn’t have enough time, I quietly carried it off to my room, where I read it cover to cover. The photograph of General Nogi in his military uniform, and his wife, who had died with him, dressed in what looked like the clothing of an imperial lady-in-waiting, stayed with me vividly for a long time.