Miyamoto Musashi Quotes

Generally speaking, the Way of the warrior is resolute acceptance of death.

The warrior is different in that studying the Way of strategy is based on overcoming men

Do not regret what you have done

When you attack the enemy, your spirit must go to the extent of pulling the stakes out of a wall and using them as spears and halberds.

Strategy is the craft of the warrior.

If there is a Way involving the spirit of not being defeated, to help oneself and gain honour, it is the Way of Strategy.

Thirdly, the gentleman warrior, carrying the weaponry of his way. The way of the warrior is to master the virtue of his weapons. If a gentleman dislikes strategy he will not appreciate the benefit of weaponry, so must he not have a little taste for this?

Consider yourself lightly; consider the world deeply.

Pay attention even to life's trifles.

Never stray from the Way.

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.

Fixation is the way to death. Fluidity is the way to life.

Determine that today you will overcome your self of the day before, tomorrow you will win over those of lesser skill, and later you will win over those of greater skill.

If you want to learn the craft of war, ponder over this book. The teacher is as a needle, the disciple is as thread. You must practice constantly.

You can only fight the way you practice

No Fear, No Hesitation, No Surprise, No Doubt

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.

Never depart from the way of martial arts.

People in this world look at things mistakenly, and think that what they do not understand must be the void. This is not the true void. It is bewilderment.

Even if a man has no natural ability, he can be a warrior.

No man is invincible, and therefore no man can fully understand that which would make him invincible

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

True warriors are fierce because their training is fierce.

Develop intuitive judgement and understanding for everything.

From inside fortifications, the gun has no equal among weapons. It is the supreme weapon on the field before the ranks clash, but once swords are crossed the gun becomes useless.

Do not let your opponent see your spirit

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.

Fourthly, the way of the artisan. The way of the carpenter is to become proficient in the use of his tools, first to lay his plans with true measure and then perform his work according to plan. Thus he passes through life.

Know your enemy, know his sword.

Approach the enemy with the attitude of defeating him without delay.

Accept everything just the way it is.

Do nothing which is of no use.

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.

When you have attained the way of strategy there will be nothing that you cannot understand. You will see the way in everything.

See to it that you temper yourself with one thousand days of practice, and refine yourself with ten thousand days of training.

You should not have a favourite weapon. To become over-familiar with one weapon is as much a fault as not knowing it sufficiently well.