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.

It is said that one should not hesitate to correct himself when he has made a mistake. If he corrects himself without the least bit of delay, his mistakes will disappear.

To desire with one’s very soul every second of every day to accomplish one’s aim.

An affected laugh shows lack of self-respect in a man and lewdness in a woman. It is carelessness to go about with one's hands inside the slits in the sides of his hakama.

Not to borrow the strength of another, nor to rely on one's own strength; to cut off past and future thoughts, and not to live within the everyday mind... then the Great Way is right before your eyes.

It is a principle of the art of war that one should simply lay down his life and strike. If one's opponent also does the same, it is a even match. Defeating one's opponent is then a matter of faith and destiny.

It is better to have some unhappiness while one is still young, for if a person does not experience some bitterness, his disposition will not settle down.