The saying 'the arts aid the body' is for samurai of other regions. For samurai of the Nabeshima clan the arts bring ruin to the body.

As long as people overlook matters, then inferiors can, without any fear, lead an easy and peaceful life.

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

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.

Continue to spur a running horse.

There is something to be learned from a rainstorm. When meeting with a sudden shower, you try not to get wet and run quickly along the road. But doing such things as passing under the eaves of houses, you still get wet. When you are resolved from the beginning, you will not be perplexed, though you will still get the same soaking. This understanding extends to everything.

When confronted with two alternatives, life and death, one is to choose death without hesitation.