Miyamoto Musashi Quotes

You win battles by knowing the enemy's timing, and using a timing which the enemy does not expect.

What is called the spirit of the void is where there is nothing. It is not included in man’s knowledge. Of course the void is nothingness. By knowing things that exist, you can know that which does not exist. That is the void.

The gaze should be large and broad. This is the two-fold gaze, perception and sight. Perception is strong and sight weak. In strategy it is important to see distant things as if they were close and to take a distanced view of close things.

It may seem difficult at first, but all things are difficult at first.

Za ljude koji žele usvojiti moj ratnički nauk, postoje pravila pomoću kojih će to umijeće naučiti :
1. Razmišljaj o onome što je ispravno i istinito.
2. Vježbaj i usavršavaj nauk.
3. Upoznaj se s umijećima.
4. Upoznaj načela zanata.
5. U svemu spoznaj prednosti i mane.
6. Nauči sve točno vidjeti.
7. Postani svjestan onoga što nije očito.
8. Budi oprezan čak i u sitnicama.
9. Ne zadržavaj se na beskorisnim poslovima.

Never let yourself be saddened by a separation.

In large-scale strategy, when we see that the enemy has few men, or if he has many men but his spirit is weak and disordered, we knock the hat over his eyes, crushing him utterly. If we crush lightly, he may recover.

el rápido se cansa y no puede llegar a tiempo.

Unless you really understand others, you can hardly attain your own self-understanding. In the practice of every way of life and every kind of work, there is a state of mind called that of the deviant. Even if you strive diligently on your chosen path day after day, if your heart is not in accord with it, then even if you think you are on a good path, from the point of view of the straight and true, this is not a genuine path.

The principles of strategy are written down here in terms of single combat, but you must think broadly so that you attain an understanding for ten-thousand-a-side battles. Strategy is different from other things in that if you mistake the Way even a little you will become bewildered and fall into bad ways.

When you and your opponent are fighting and nothing is going right, nor is there progress, be of a mind to throw off your former intention and start entirely anew. Take on another rhythm and see your way to victory. With Renewal, whenever you think that you and your opponent are just grating along, you should change your mind on the spot and take the victory by using another tactic.

In the strategy of my school, keep your body and mind straight and make your opponent go through contortions and twist about. The essence is to defeat him in the moment when, in his mind, he is pivoting and twisting. You should examine this well.

So-called “Yin-Yang foot” is important in the Way. Yin-Yang foot means not moving only one foot. It means moving your feet left-right and right-left when cutting, withdrawing, or warding off a cut. You should not move on one foot preferentially.

Unless you really understand others, you can hardly attain your own self-understanding.

...kako god bilo, svako je od nas kao ljudskim bićima neophodno njegovati i usavršavati vlastiti individualni put.