Human life is truly a short affair. It is better to live doing the things that you like.

When one is writing a letter, he should think that the recipient will make it into a hanging scroll.

By inconsistency and frivolity we stray from the Way and show ourselves to be beginners. In this we do much harm.

There are few people who will make mistakes with fire after having once been burned.

When delivering something like an important letter or other written materials, grasp it firmly in your hand as you go and do not release it once, but hand it over directly to the recipient.

A samurai will use a toothpick even though he has not eaten. Inside the skin of a dog, outside the hide of a tiger.

A warrior should not say something fainthearted, even casually. He should set his mind to this beforehand. Even in trifling matters the depths of one's heart can be seen.