Yagyu Munenori Quotes & Sayings

The continually moving mind is philosophically symbolized by the avatar Fudo Myo-o, the Wisdom King, often depicted holding a sword in one hand for cutting through ignorance, and a rope in the other for tying up passions. — Yagyu Munenori

You should strike at the moon in the water. — Yagyu Munenori

See first with your mind, then with your eyes, and finally with your body. — Yagyu Munenori

When you strike a blow, do not let your mind dally on it, not concerning yourself with whether or not it is a telling blow; you should strike again and again, over and over, even four or five times. The thing is not to let your opponent even raise his head. — Yagyu Munenori

Conquering evil, not the opponent is the essence of swordsmanship. — Yagyu Munenori

It is bias to think that the art of war is just for killing people. It is not to kill people, it is to kill evil. It is a strategem to give life to many people by killing the evil of one person. — Yagyu Munenori

Once a fight has started, if you get involved in thinking about what to do, you will be cut down by your opponent with the very next blow. — Yagyu Munenori