[50] _Kozō_ means “acolyte” as well as “shop-boy,”“errand-boy,” or “apprentice;” but in this case it refers to a boy employed in a shop situated near or before the gate of a Buddhist temple. By constantly hearing the sutra chanted in the temple, the boy learns to repeat the words. A proverb of kindred meaning is, _Kangaku-In no suzumé wa, Mōgyū wo sayézuru:_ “The sparrows of Kangaku-In [an ancient seat of learning] chirp the Mōgyū,”—a Chinese text formerly taught to young students. The teaching of either proverb is excellently expressed by a third:—_Narau yori wa naréro:_ “Rather than study [an art], get accustomed to it,”—that is to say, “keep constantly in contact with it.” Observation and practice are even better than study. 59.—_Mujō no kazé wa, toki erabazu._ The Wind of Impermanency does not choose a time.[51] [51] Death and Change do not conform their ways to human expectation. 60.—_Neko mo Busshō ari._ In even a cat the Buddha-nature exists.[52] [52] Notwithstanding the legend that only the cat and the _mamushi_ (a poisonous viper) failed to weep for the death of the Buddha. 61.—_Néta ma ga Gokuraku._ The interval of sleep is Paradise.[53] [53] Only during sleep can we sometimes cease to know the sorrow and pain of this world. (Compare with No. 83.) 62.—_Nijiu-go Bosatsu mo soré-soré no yaku._ Even each of the Twenty-five Bodhisattvas has his own particular duty to perform. 63.—_Nin mité, hō toké._ [First] see the person, [then] preach the doctrine.[54] [54] The teaching of Buddhist doctrine should always be adapted to the intelligence of the person to be instructed. There is another proverb of the same kind,—_Ki ni yorité, hō wo toké:_ “According to the understanding [of the person to be taught], preach the Law.” 64.—_Ninshin ukégataku Buppoō aigatashi._ It is not easy to be born among men, and to meet with [the good fortune of hearing the doctrine of] Buddhism.[55] [55] Popular Buddhism teaches that to be born in the world of mankind, and especially among a people professing Buddhism, is a very great privilege. However miserable human existence, it is at least a state in which some knowledge of divine truth may be obtained; whereas the beings in other and lower conditions of life are relatively incapable of spiritual progress. 65.—_Oni mo jiu-hachi._ Even a devil [is pretty] at eighteen.[56]