If one thinks only of winning, a sordid victory will be worse than a defeat. For the most part, it becomes a squalid defeat.

When one has made a decision to kill a person, even if it will be very difficult to succeed by advancing straight ahead, it will not do to think about going at it in a long roundabout way. One's heart may slacken, he may miss his chance, and by and large there will be no success. The Way of the Samurai is one of immediacy, and it is best to dash in headlong.

To give a person an opinion one must first judge well whether that person is of the disposition to receive it or not.

As everything in this world is but a sham, Death is the only sincerity.

The deepest love is often hidden.

Singlemindedness is all-powerful.

By inconsistency and frivolity we stray from the Way and show ourselves to be beginners. In this we do much harm.