Respect the gods and buddhas, but never rely on them.

If you learn indoor techniques, you will think narrowly and forget the true Way. Thus you will have difficulty in actual encounters.

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.

Second is the way of the merchant. The wine maker obtains his ingredients and puts them to use to make his living. The way of the merchant is always to live by taking profit.

The only reason a warrior is alive is to fight, and the only reason a warrior fights is to win

To win any battle, you must fight as if you are already dead

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.