There is not a man who does not get senile by the time he reaches sixty. And when one thinks that he will not be senile, he is already so.

Matters of small concern should be treated seriously.

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

Continue to spur a running horse.

This is the substance of the Way of the Samurai: if by setting one's heart right every morning and evening, one is able to live as though his body were already dead, he gains freedom in the Way. his whole life will be without blame, and he will succeed in his calling.

A person who is discreet in speaking will be useful during the good times and will avoid punishment during the bad.

Calculating people are contemptable. The reason for this is that calculation deals with loss and gain, and the loss and gain mind never stops. Death is considered loss and life is considered gain. Thus, death is something that such a person does not care for, and he is contemptable. Furthermore, scholars and their like are men who with wit and speech hide their own true cowardice and greed. People often misjudge this.