A Story

人 = person
一世 = one life span (一 one + 世 person's life span)
物 = physical matter / things (牛 cow + 勿 Dont)
一 世 = one life span
得 = to have/ to find
一 = one
知己 = someone with a deep connection
(知 = know/understand + 己 = oneself)
最 = most/extremely
(冂 wide + 日sun+ 耳ear + 又again )
珍 = rare/real (王 king + 彡 hair)
貴 = treasure/valuable/precious

知己
To understand this phrase, Dad emphasizes the importance of the word 知己. 知 translates to know/understand. 己 means self. Dad and I talk about how, to know one self is difficult enough and is an on-going life-time journey…imagine finding someone that can understand you, like you understand yourself. That is 知己: a person, a friend, a loved one that has shares a deep understanding. Dad describes this connection as one where much doesn’t need to be said, there is understanding and there is trust.

Dad: you can accumulate all the material, physical things over a lifetime, but those things, like clothes, deteriorate and they come and go. The value of all these things have no comparison to being able to find a person that you share a deep understanding with. Adding to this sentiment, he says, a connection like this you can't buy or sell. To find someone that understands you, is most rare and special in life.

Similar to the saying: 人生得一知己 死而無憾.

This can be seen quoted in an episode of '七十二家房客' - The House of 72 Tenants. The episode is called 你開心我開心 - 'You're happy, I'm happy'. Updated: 8/1/24

Date Added: 3/14/2021