Yamamoto Tsunetomo quotes - page 3

Bushido is realized in the presence of death. This means choosing death whenever there is a choice between life and death. There is no other reasoning. (Yamamoto Tsunetomo)
Respect, Honesty, Courage, Rectitude, Loyalty, Honour, Benevolence. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
Matters of great concern should be treated lightly.” Master Ittei commented, "Matters of small concern should be treated seriously. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
It is spiritless to think that you cannot attain to that which you have seen and heard the masters attain. The masters are men. You are also a man. If you think that you will be inferior in doing something, you will be on that road very soon. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
It is a good viewpoint to see the world as a dream. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
Thinking about things previously and then handling them lightly when the time comes is what this is all about. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
When pressed with the choice of life or death, it is not necessary to gain one's aim. We all want to live. And in large part we make our logic according to what we like. But not having attained our aim and continuing to live is cowardice. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
Although all things are not to be judged in this manner, I mention it in the investigation of the Way of the Samurai. When the time comes, there is no moment for reasoning. And if you have not done your inquiring beforehand, there is most often shame. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
It is difficult for a fool's habits to change to selflessness. ... Because we do most things relying only on our own sagacity we become self-interested, turn our backs on reason, and things do not turn out well. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
Praise his good points and use every device to encourage him, perhaps by talking about one's own faults without touching on his, but so that they will occur to him. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
In the highest level a man has the look of knowing nothing. These are the levels in general;. But there is one transcending level, and this is the most excellent of all. This person is aware of the endlessness of entering deeply into a certain Way and never thinks of himself as having finished. He truly knows his own insufficiencies and never in his whole life thinks that he has succeeded. (Yamamoto Tsunetomo)
Throughout your life advance daily, becoming more skillful than yesterday, more skillful than today. This is never-ending. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
The Way of the Samurai is found in death. When it comes to either/or, there is only the quick choice of death. It is not particularly difficult. Be determined and advance. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
The saying, "Thought by thought we see our own mistakes," also means that the highest Way is in discussion with others. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
Although it stands to reason that a samurai should be mindful of the Way of the Samurai, it would seem that we are all negligent. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
To give a person one's opinion and correct his faults is an important thing. It is compassionate and comes first in matters of service. But the way of doing this is extremely difficult. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
Military affairs are not matters for one person alone, regardless of how useful he tries to be. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
It is not good to settle into a set of opinions. It is a mistake to put forth effort and obtain some understanding and then stop at that. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
Do not rely on following the degree of understanding that you have discovered, but simply think, "This is not enough." One should search throughout his whole life how best to follow the Way. And he should study, setting his mind to work without putting things off. Within this is the Way. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
Above all, the Way of the Samurai should be in being aware that you do not know what is going to happen next, and in querying every item day and night. Victory and defeat are matters of the temporary force of circumstances. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
Although it is unfitting for someone like me to say this, in dying it is my hope not to become a Buddha. Rather, my will is permeated with the resolution to help manage the affairs of the province, though I be reborn as a Nabeshima samurai seven times. (Yamamoto Tsunetomo)
Having only wisdom and talent is the lowest tier of usefulness. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
The Way of the Samurai is found in death. When it comes to either/or, there is only the quick choice of death. It is not particularly difficult. Be determined and advance. To say that dying without reaching one's aim is to die a dog's death is the frivolous way of sophisticates. When pressed with the choice of life or death, it is not necessary to gain one's aim. We all want to live. And in large part we make our logic according to what we like. But not having attained our aim and continuing to live is cowardice. This is a thin dangerous line. To die without gaining one's aim is a dog's death and fanaticism. But there is no shame in this. This is the substance of the Way of the Samurai. If by setting one's heart right every morning and evening, one is able to live as though his body were already dead, he gains freedom in the Way. His whole life will be without blame, and he will succeed in his calling. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
People with intelligence will use it to fashion things both true and false and will try to push through whatever they want with their clever reasoning. This is injury from intelligence. Nothing you do will have effect if you do not use truth. In affairs like law suits or even in arguments, by losing quickly one will lose in fine fashion. It is like sumo. If one thinks only of winning, a sordid victory will be worse than a defeat. For the most part, it becomes a squalid defeat. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
Although it is unfitting for someone like me to say this, in dying it is my hope not to become a Buddha. Rather, my will is permeated with the resolution to help manage the affairs of the province, though I be reborn as a Nabeshima samurai seven times. One needs neither vitality nor talent. In a word, it is a matter of having the will to shoulder the clan by oneself. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo