One must know the so-called 'lesson of a downpour. A man, caught in a sudden rain en route, dashes along the road not to get wet or drenched. Once one takes it for granted that in rain he naturally gets wet, he can be in a tranquil frame of mind even when soaked to the skin. This lesson applies to everything.
Yamamoto TsunetomoBy inconsistency and frivolity we stray from the Way and show ourselves to be beginners. In this we do much harm.
Yamamoto TsunetomoThere is nothing we should be quite so grateful for as the last line of the poem that goes, 'When your own heart asks.
Yamamoto TsunetomoEven if one's head were to be suddenly cut off, he should be able to do one more action with certainty.
Yamamoto TsunetomoAs long as people overlook matters, then inferiors can, without any fear, lead an easy and peaceful life.
Yamamoto Tsunetomo