Miyamoto Musashi Quotes - Page 4

Respect Buddha and the gods without counting on their help

It is imperative to master the principles of the art of war and learn to be unmoved in mind even in the heat of the battle.

The way is in training.

There is timing in the whole life of the warrior, in his thriving and declining, in his harmony and discord. Similarly, there is timing in the Way of the merchant, in the rise and fall of capital. All things entail rising and falling timing. You must be able to discern this.

Approach the enemy with the attitude of defeating him without delay.

Do not let your spirit be influenced by your body, or your body be influenced by your spirit. Be neither insufficiently spirited or over spirited. An elevated spirit is weak and a low spirit is weak. Do not let the enemy see your spirit.

Consider yourself lightly; consider the world deeply.

It is said the warrior's is the twofold Way of pen and sword, and he should have a taste for both Ways. Even if a man has no natural ability he can be a warrior by sticking assiduously to both divisions of the Way.

Speed is not part of the true Way of strategy. Speed implies that things seem fast or slow, according to whether or not they are in rhythm. Whatever the Way, the master of strategy does not appear fast.

When you cannot be deceived by men you will have realised the wisdom of strategy.

As the innocent infant relies upon the mother for sustenance, so the innocent wanderer, following his native compassion and bliss, relies upon the natural intelligence of life to sustain him. There are various Ways. There is the Way of salvation by the law of Buddha, the Way of Confucius governing the Way of learning, the Way of healing as a doctor, as a poet teaching the Way of Waka, tea, archery, and many arts and skills. Each man practices as he feels inclined.

To become the enemy, see yourself as the enemy of the enemy

With your spirit open and unconstricted, look at things from a high point of view.

To cut and slash are two different things. Cutting, whatever form of cutting it is, is decisive, with a resolute spirit. Slashing is nothing more than touching the enemy.

When your opponent is hurrying recklessly, you must act contrarily and keep calm. You must not be influenced by the opponent.

By knowing things that exist, you can know that which does not exist.

Crossing at a ford occurs often in a man's lifetime. It means setting sail even though your friends stay in harbour, knowing the route, knowing the soundness of your ship and the favour of the day.

This is truth: When you sacrifice your life, you must make fullest use of your weaponry. It is false not to do so, and to die with a weapon as yet undrawn.

Cutting down the enemy is the way of strategy, and there is no need for many refinements of it.

All things entail rising and falling timing. You must be able to discern this.

If you learn indoor techniques, you will think narrowly and forget the true Way. Thus you will have difficulty in actual encounters.

One must make the warrior walk his everyday walk.

When in a fight to the death, one wants to employ all one's weapons to the utmost. I must say that to die with one's sword still sheathed is most regrettable.

Become acquainted with every art.

If you are not progressing along the true way, a slight twist in the mind can become a major twist. This must be pondered well.