One should be wary of talking on end about such subjects as learning, morality or folklore in front of elders or people of rank. It is disagreeable to listen to.

I have found that the Way of the samurai is death. This means that when you are compelled to choose between life and death, you must quickly choose death.

What is called generosity is really compassion. In the Shin'ei it is written "Seen from the eye of compassion, there is noone to be disliked. One who has sinned is to be pitied all the more." There is no limit to the breadth and depth of ones heart. There is room enough for all. That we still worship the sages of the three ancient kingdoms is because their compassion reaches us yet today.

Matters of small concern should be treated seriously.

All of man’s work is a bloody business. That fact, today, is considered foolish, affairs are finished cleverly with words alone, and jobs that require effort are avoided. I would like young men to have some understanding of this.

A warrior is worthless unless he rises above others and stands strong in the midst of a storm.

Looking comparatively at the good things, you will see that they are not excluded from wisdom, humanity and bravery.