If a man wanted to put the entire universe in his breast, he couldn't do it with his chest stuck out.

Danger was the grindstone on which the swordsman whetted his spirit. Enemies were teachers in disguise.

To Kiyomori each stall, each soul here seemed borne under by the crushing weight of the world; everyone here was a pitiful weed, trodden underfoot -- a conglomeration of human lives putting down roots in this slime, living and letting live in the struggle to survive; and he was stirred by the fearful and magnificent courage communicated by the scene.

It does happen, of course, that the priesthood has been on bad terms with womankind for some three thousand years. You see, Buddhism teaches that women are evil. Fiends. Messengers of hell. I've spent years immersed in the scriptures, so it's no accident that you and I fight all the time.

It's no good to want to win still more when you have already won.

Not only must a warrior be strong with his bow, but he must have a heart full of pity for all living creatures.

Oh, you crows! Feast away! What a spread! Soup straight from the eye sockets! And thick red sake! But don't have too much Or you'll surely get drunk.