痛みは避けられない… (pain is inevitable, but suffering depends on you!)

A Japanese calligraphy work of four horizontal lines of kanji characters, black ink on white.

痛みは

避けられない

でも苦しみは

自分次第だ!

Pain

is inevitable

but suffering

depends on you!

This Buddhist-inspired quote is by the famous Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami, from his book on how he uses Buddhist teachings to live a good life.

It’s one of my housemate’s favourite phrases. This work was my birthday present to him a few years ago.

I’m currently open for commissions, so if you’d like a unique custom-made calligraphy artwork for you or a loved one, please email me and let me know your ideas. My aim is to create the perfect calligraphy work for you. For more info on the commissions process, including prices, check out the Purchase a Work page.

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