Even if it seems certain that you will lose, retaliate. Neither wisdom nor technique has a place in this. A real man does not think of victory or defeat. He plunges recklessly towards an irrational death. By doing this, you will awaken from your dreams.
Yamamoto TsunetomoA warrior is worthless unless he rises above others and stands strong in the midst of a storm.
Yamamoto TsunetomoIn the eyes of mercy, no one should have hateful thoughts. Feel pity for the man who is even more at fault. The area and size of mercy is limitless.
Yamamoto TsunetomoTo give a person an opinion one must first judge well whether that person is of the disposition to receive it or not.
Yamamoto TsunetomoCalculating 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.
Yamamoto TsunetomoSincerity does not only complete the self; it is the means by which all things are completed. As the self is completed, there is human-heartedness; as things are completed, there is wisdom. This is the virtue of oneโs character, and the Way of joining the internal and external. Thus, when we use this, everything is correct.
Yamamoto Tsunetomo