Life In 19x19

Close the fist before punching. In Go, it can be interpreted to mean strengthening your weak group before using it in an attack. In real life, it signifies the importance of preparation before an action.

Javaness2 wrote:There is a barge in the river

What's the meaning of this one?

An eye for an eye. Not a go proverb but still applies.

I like your avatar, Shigeki.

[gets up to make second cup of coffee]

SpongeBob wrote:

Javaness2 wrote:There is a barge in the river

What's the meaning of this one?

Yeah I was wondering about that one too...

I think it is a warning about why to not force things that won't work? Maybe?

I'm not sure if it's strictly a proverb, but I have always liked this.

"If, after a defeat, you reflect on its causes, you will improve your skill at the game, whereas if you flatter yourself on your victories, you will lose your ability. To seek the error in yourself and not blame others, therefore, is advantageous."- the Qijing Shisanpian

If I followed this advice as much as I like it, I'd be a much stronger player.

Bonobo wrote:

Pio2001 wrote:Don't wrestle with pigs. You will both get dirty, and the pig will love it.

I know this one, but how would you relate it with Go?

Hi,
It applies, for example, to players who are not experienced with classic fuseki and don't respect the order corners-sides-center.
If they start a fight right away with your first stone, let them do, and quietly take another corner. Don't wrestle with them. If they have enough kyu as being chosen by KGS automatch to play against you, and can't play a proper fuseki, they may be much stronger than you imagine at local fighting !
The whole board position is going to get dirty, and that's what they are the best at.

John Fairbairn wrote:My favourite proper proverb is "If you have six groups, one will die."

The one I like in this category is "You don't have several weak groups. You have only one. The others are dead".

"You can lose the game, but never lose the ko!"

PeterN

This is a mexican proverb of go:

"Cut, then think" (you can apply in all occasion that your intuition believe that you can do something)

Not sure if this one's correct but I've found it useful to remember in some situations (especially in reference to reversi shape):

"The first one to atari loses."

TheJaz49 wrote:

SpongeBob wrote:

Javaness2 wrote:There is a barge in the river

What's the meaning of this one?

Yeah I was wondering about that one too...

I think it is a warning about why to not force things that won't work? Maybe?

it's one you just have to wait for

"Keep your stones connected, and your opponent's stones disconnected." This is the first and greatest commandment.
The second is like it: "Urgent moves before big moves."
On these two commandments hang all the losses, and the profits.

I was going to butcher a George Orwell quote about 4 lines and 2 lines, but instead I'll butcher one attributed to Henry Ford

"Those who think they have sente, and those who think they don't, are both right"

moyoaji wrote:On these two commandments hang all the losses, and the profits.

But isn't the second commandment, "Thy opponent's move is thy move"?

It's not really a proverb, but I like this:

Go Seigen wrote:Go is harmony.