Morihei Ueshiba Quotes

May the Kami of Earth and Heaven watch our acts of purification.

In a real battle, atemi is seventy percent, technique is thirty percent.

When facing the realm of life and death in the form of an enemy's sword, one must be firmly settled in mind and body, and not at all intimidated; without providing your opponent the slightest opening, control his mind in a flash and move where you will — straight, diagonally, or in any other appropriate direction.

The Art of Peace is the principle of nonresistance. Because it is nonresistant it is victorious from the beginning. Those with evil intentions or contentious thoughts are instantly vanquished. The Art of Peace is invincible because it contends with nothing.

Life is growth. If we stop growing, technically and spiritually, we are as good as dead.

You cannot see or touch the divine with your gross senses. The divine is within you, not somewhere else

The Art of Peace is not easy. It is a fight to the finish, the slaying of evil desires and all falsehood within. On occasion the Voice of Peace resounds like thunder, jolting human beings out of their stupor.

When an opponent comes forward, move in and greet him; if he wants to pull back, send him on his way.

Those who are enlightened never stop forging themselves.

Fill yourself with Ki, invite the attack.

Contemplate the workings of this world, listen to the words of
the wise, take all that is good as your own. With this as your
base, open your won door to truth. Do not overlook the truth that
is right before you. Study how water flows in a valley stream,
smoothly and freely between the rocks. Also learn from holy
books and wise people. Everything-even mountains, rivers,
plants, and trees-should be your teacher.

I want to know everything; my curiosity is boundless

In order to establish heaven on earth, we need a Budo that is pure in spirit, that is devoid of hatred and greed. It must follow natural principles and harmonize the material with the spiritual. Aikido means not to kill. Although nearly all creeds have a commandment against taking life, most of them justify killing for reason or another. In Aikido, however, we try to completely avoid killing, even the most evil person.

To injure an opponent is to injure yourself. To control aggression without inflicting injury is the Art of Peace.

The divine does not like to be shut up in a building. The divine likes to be out in the open. It is right here in this very body. Each one of us is a miniature universe, a living shrine.