Yamamoto Tsunetomo Quotes

In the Kamigata area, they have a sort of tiered lunchbox they use for a single day when flower viewing. Upon returning, they throw them away, trampling them underfoot. The end is important in all things.

Everyone lets the present moment slip by, then looks for it as though he thought it were somewhere else.

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

It is said that one should not hesitate to correct himself when he has made a mistake. If he corrects himself without the least bit of delay, his mistakes will disappear.

There is nothing we should be quite so grateful for as the last line of the poem that goes, 'When your own heart asks.

As long as people overlook matters, then inferiors can, without any fear, lead an easy and peaceful life.

Singlemindedness is all-powerful.

Light matters should be dealt with seriously. Serious matters should be dealt with lightly.

It is bad when one thing becomes two. One should not look for anything else in the Way of the Samurai. If one understands things in this manner, he should be able to hear about all Ways and be more and more in accord with his own.

The saying 'the arts aid the body' is for samurai of other regions. For samurai of the Nabeshima clan the arts bring ruin to the body.

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

If a warrior is not unattached to life and death, he will be of no use whatsoever. The saying that “All abilities come from one mind” sounds as though it has to do with sentient matters, but it is in fact a matter of being unattached to life and death. With such non-attachment one can accomplish any feat.

An affected laugh shows lack of self-respect in a man and lewdness in a woman. It is carelessness to go about with one's hands inside the slits in the sides of his hakama.

Not to borrow the strength of another, nor to rely on one's own strength; to cut off past and future thoughts, and not to live within the everyday mind... then the Great Way is right before your eyes.

It is better to have some unhappiness while one is still young, for if a person does not experience some bitterness, his disposition will not settle down.

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.

All of man’s work is a bloody business. That fact, today, is considered foolish, affairs are finished cleverly with words alone, and jobs that require effort are avoided. I would like young men to have some understanding of this.

It is difficult for a fool's habits to change to selflessness.

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

Human life is truly a short affair. It is better to live doing the things that you like.

One should be wary of talking on end about such subjects as learning, morality or folklore in front of elders or people of rank. It is disagreeable to listen to.

Having only wisdom and talent is the lowest tier of usefulness.

Matters of small concern should be treated seriously.

Sincerity 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 one’s character, and the Way of joining the internal and external. Thus, when we use this, everything is correct.

By being impatient, matters are damaged and great works cannot be done

Tether even a roasted chicken.

All abilities come from one mind

One should make his decisions within the space of seven breaths.

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

To desire with one’s very soul every second of every day to accomplish one’s aim.

I have found that the Way of the samurai is death. This means that when you are compelled to choose between life and death, you must quickly choose death.

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.