Quotable Quotes--Miyamoto Musashi Edition

The ultimate aim of martial arts is not having to use them.

Perceive that which cannot be seen with the eye.

In fighting and in everyday life you should be determined though calm. Meet the situation without tenseness yet not recklessly, your spirit settled yet unbiased. An elevated spirit is weak and a low spirit is weak. Do not let the enemy see your spirit.

Aspire to be like Mt. Fuji, with such a broad and solid foundation that the strongest earthquake cannot move you, and so tall that the greatest enterprises of common men seem insignificant from your lofty perspective. With your mind as high as Mt Fuji you can see all things clearly. And you can see all the forces that shape events; not just the things happening near to you.

Under the sword lifted high, There is hell making you tremble. But go ahead, And you have the land of bliss.

Know your enemy, know his sword.

Do nothing which is of no use.

Perception is strong and sight weak. In strategy it is important to see distant things as if they were close and to take a distanced view of close things.

Whatever the Way, the master of strategy does not appear fast.Of course, slowness is bad. Really skillful people never get out of time, and are always deliberate, and never appear busy.

Study strategy over the years and achieve the spirit of the warrior. Today is victory over yourself of yesterday; tomorrow is your victory over lesser men.

You should not have any special fondness for a particular weapon, or anything else, for that matter. Too much is the same as not enough. Without imitating anyone else, you should have as much weaponry as suits you.

In battle, if you you make your opponent flinch, you have already won.

From one thing, know ten thousand things.

Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world.

The primary thing when you take a sword in your hands is your intention to cut the enemy, whatever the means. Whenever you parry, hit, spring, strike or touch the enemy's cutting sword, you must cut the enemy in the same movement. It is essential to attain this. If you think only of hitting, springing, striking or touching the enemy, you will not be able actually to cut him.

It is difficult to understand the universe if you only study one planet.

The true science of martial arts means practicing them in such a way that they will be useful at any time, and to teach them in such a way that they will be useful in all things.

You can only fight the way you practice.

You must understand that there is more than one path to the top of the mountain.

Do not regret what you have done.

If you wish to control others, you must first control yourself.

Do not sleep under a roof. Carry no money or food. Go alone to places frightening to the common brand of men. Become a criminal of purpose. Be put in jail, and extricate yourself by your own wisdom.

Today is victory over yourself of yesterday; tomorrow is your victory over lesser men.

There is nothing outside of yourself that can ever enable you to get better, stronger, richer, quicker, or smarter. Everything is within. Everything exists. Seek nothing outside of yourself.

If you do not control the enemy, the enemy will control you.

Respect Buddha and the gods without counting on their help.

Never stray from the Way.

Posted in: