The quote from James Clavell's "Shogun" suggests that some complex and sensitive agreements may be better left as verbal understandings rather than being put down in writing. This could arise from the notion that formalizing certain agreements could create rigidity or misunderstandings that may not reflect the complexities of the relationship or context in which the agreement is made.

By not committing delicate agreements to paper, parties may retain greater flexibility and the ability to adapt their understandings over time. This perspective acknowledges the nuances of human interactions, where the spirit of the agreement may be more significant than the literal terms that could oversimplify or distort the original intent.