By bringing shame to a person, how could one expect to make him a better man?

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.

Be true to the thought of the moment and avoid distraction. Other than continuing to exert yourself, enter into nothing else, but go to the extent of living single thought by single thought.

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.

A real man does not think of victory or defeat. He plunges recklessly towards an irrational death.

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

You cannot tell whether a person is good or bad by his vicissitudes in life. Good and bad fortune are matters of fate.