Tsunetomo Yamamoto Quotes & Sayings

It is said that what is called "the spirit of an age" is something to which one cannot return. That this spirit gradually dissipates is due to the world's coming to an end. For this reason, although one would like to change today's world back to the spirit of one hundred years or more ago, it cannot be done. Thus it is important to make the best out of every generation. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

In the highest level a man has the look of knowing nothing . — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

Victory and defeat are matters of the temporary force of circumstances. The way of avoiding shame is different. It is simply in death. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

One should every day think over and make an effort to implant in his mind the saying, "At that time is right now." It is said that it is strange indeed that anyone is able to pass through life by one means or another in negligence. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

Tether even a roasted chicken. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

Imitating another style is simply a sham. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

It is a wretched thing that the young men of today are so contriving and so proud of their material posessions. Men with contriving hearts are lacking in duty. Lacking in duty, they will have no self-respect. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

In offering one's opinion, one must first ascertain whether or not the recipient is in the right frame of mind to receive counsel. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

I know nothing about how to win over others. I know only the way know the way to win over myself.
attributed to the (master) swordsman Yagyu, who was a teacher (and samurai?) to the Shogun himself. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

There is something to be learned from a rainstorm. When meeting with a sudden shower, you try not to get wet and run quickly along the road. But doing such things as passing under the eaves of houses, you still get wet. When you are resolved from the beginning, you will not be perplexed, though you will still get the same soaking. This understanding extends to everything. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

If you are unaware that the world is teeming with ineptitude from the beginning, you will develop a bitter countenance, and in turn others will eschew you. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

In the Kamigata area, they have a sort of tiered lunchbox they use for a single day when flower viewing. Upon returning, they throw them away, trampling them underfoot. The end is important in all things. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

Whether people be of high or low birth, rich or poor, old or young, enlightened or confused, they are all alike in that they will one day die. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

Throughout your life advance daily, becoming more skillful than yesterday, more skillful than today. This is never-ending. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

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. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

If one does not get it into his head from the very beginning that the world is full of unseemly situations, for the most part his demeanour will be poor and he will not be believed by others. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

If a warrior is not unattached to life and death, he will be of no use whatsoever. The saying that "All abilities come from one mind" sounds as though it has to do with sentient matters, but it is in fact a matter of being unattached to life and death. With such non-attachment one can accomplish any feat. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

There is surely nothing other than the single purpose of the present moment. A man's whole life is a succession of moment after moment. There will be nothing else to do, and nothing else to pursue. Live being true to the single purpose of the moment. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

Even if it seems certain that you will lose, retaliate. Neither wisdom nor technique has a place in this. A real man does not think of victory or defeat. He plunges recklessly towards an irrational death. By doing this, you will awaken from your dreams. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

Singlemindedness is all-powerful. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

A man who can reason over trifles will become conceited, and will take pleasure in being described as 'odd'. He will start boasting that he was born with a personality that doesn't fit well with contemporary society, and be convinced that nobody else is above him. He will surely meet with divine retribution. Regardless of what abilities a man may possess, he will be of little use if rejected by others. People don't slight those who are eager to help and serve well, and who readily exhibit humility to their associates. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

No matter if the enemy has thousands of men, there is fulfillment in simply standing them off and being determined to cut them all down, starting from one end. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

When one is writing a letter, he should think that the recipient will make it into a hanging scroll. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

If one is but secure at the foundation, he will not be pained by departure from minor details or affairs that are contrary to expectation. But in the end, the details of a matter are important. The right and wrong of one's way of doing things are found in trivial matters. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

If one has no earnest daily intention, does not consider what it is to be a warrior even in his dreams, and lives through the day idly, he can be said to be worthy of punishment. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

Continue to spur a running horse. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

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. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

It is bad to carry even a good thing too far. Even concerning things such as Buddhism, Buddhist sermons, and moral lessons, talking too much will bring harm. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

Sincerity does not only complete the self; it is the means by which all things are completed. As the self is completed, there is human-heartedness; as things are completed, there is wisdom. This is the virtue of one's character, and the Way of joining the internal and external. Thus, when we use this, everything is correct. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

Do not rely on following the degree of understanding that you have discovered, but simply think, This is not enough. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

Respect, Honesty, Courage, Rectitude, Loyalty, Honour, Benevolence — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

Purity is something that cannot be attained except by piling effort upon effort. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

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. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

Although this may be a most difficult thing, if one will do it, it can be done. There is nothing that one should suppose cannot be done. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

Matters of great concern should be treated lightly." Master Ittei commented, "Matters of small concern should be treated seriously. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

There was a man who said, Such and such a person has a violent disposition, but this is what I said right to his face ... This was an unbecoming thing to say, and it was said simply because he wanted to be known as a rough fellow. It was rather low, and it can be seen that he was still rather immature. It is because a samurai has correct manners that he is admired. Speaking of other people in this way is no different from an exchange between low class spearmen. It is vulgar. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

To give a person an opinion one must first judge well whether that person is of the disposition to receive it or not. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

There is nothing we should be quite so grateful for as the last line of the poem that goes, 'When your own heart asks. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

Be true to the thought of the moment and avoid distraction. Other than continuing to exert yourself, enter into nothing else, but go to the extent of living single thought by single thought. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

Personally, I like to sleep. And I intend to appropriately confine myself more and more to my living quarters and pass my life away sleeping. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

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. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto