expression
we meet only to part; meeting is the first step to parting
A proverb expressing the Buddhist-influenced idea that all meetings inevitably lead to parting; often used to reflect on the transient nature of relationships.
「会うは別れの始め」というが、それでも人との出会いは大切にしたい。
They say 'meeting is the beginning of parting,' but I still want to cherish encounters with people.
卒業式で、校長は「会うは別れの始め」と述べ、別れの寂しさと新たな旅立ちを語った。
At the graduation ceremony, the principal said 'meeting is the first step to parting' and spoke of the sadness of farewells and new beginnings.
A traditional Japanese proverb reflecting Buddhist concepts of impermanence (無常). The exact origin is uncertain, but it has been used for centuries in literature and everyday speech.