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

Even if one's head were to be suddenly cut off, he should be able to do one more action with certainty.

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.

It is said that what is called "the spirit of an age" is something to which one cannot return. That this spirit gradually dissipates is due to the world's coming to an end. For this reason, although one would like to change today's world back to the spirit of one hundred years or more ago, it cannot be done. Thus it is important to make the best out of every generation.

Bushido is realised in the presence of death. In the case of having to choose between life and death you should choose death. There is no other reasoning.

Purity is something that cannot be attained except by piling effort upon effort.

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.