「為せば成る
為さねば成らぬ何事も
成らぬは人の為さぬなりけり」

Naseba naru
Nasaneba naranu nanigoto mo
Naranu wa hito no nasanu nari keri

"If you try, you may succeed.
If you don't try, you will not succeed. This is true for of all things.
Not succeeding is the result of not trying."

This is from Uesugi Harunori, a famous and exemplary daimyo (Japanese feudal lord) from the Edo era (the historical period between 1603 and 1868; he lived from 1751 to 1822).

Although he is well known for applying a lot of financial reforms and politicies that saved the Yonezawa province from hunger and poverty, this poem is the teaching that stuck with the Japanese people as an example of self-discipline.

「夜 に 唇 を 吹く と 蛇 が 来る」 - Yoru ni kuchibiru wo fuku to hebi ga kuru

"If you whistle at night, a snake will come at you"

During the Edo period (also known as the Tokugawa period, the historical period between 1603 and 1868), thieves used to communicate and warn each other by whistling. As a result, whistling at night nowadays is associated with inviting burglars (the snake) into your place.

「古池や蛙飛び込む水の音」- Furuike ya kawazu tobikomu mizu no oto

"Ancient pond, a frog leaps in, the splash of water"

Basho was the most famous poet of the Edo period (historical period between 1603 and 1868; Basho lived from 1644 to 1694), and is still recognized as the greatest haiku master that ever existed.

This one haiku, called Ancient pond, is the best-known and most iconic haiku in Japan and worldwide.