Yamamoto Tsunetomo Quotes

It is bad when one thing becomes two. One should not look for anything else in the Way of the Samurai. It is the same for anything that is called a Way. Therefore, it is inconsistent to hear something of the Way of Confucius or the Way of the Buddha, and say that this is 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.

In 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.

Even if it seems certain that you will lose, retaliate.

Kai ta­vo pro­tas blaš­ko­si tai šen, tai ten, ap­mąs­ty­mai niekuomet ne­virs tei­sin­go­mis iš­va­do­mis. Tik bū­da­mas tvir­tos, skais­čios ir ne­mir­tin­gos dva­sios žmo­gus įstengs pro­tin­gai nuspręs­ti įkvė­pęs ir iš­kvė­pęs sep­ty­nis kar­tus. Ta­čiau tam jis pri­va­lo bū­ti ryž­tin­gas ir pa­si­ren­gęs nu­šluo­ti vi­sa sa­vam ke­ly­je.

Only when you constantly live as though already a corpse (jōjū shinimi) will you be able to find freedom in the martial Way, and fulfill your duties without fault throughout your life.” (1-2) In other words, adherents of bushido should seek to nurture an indomitable fighting spirit free from concerns of life and death.

If you are unaware that the world is teeming with ineptitude from the beginning, you will develop a bitter countenance, and in turn others will eschew you.

It is not sufficient just to remain calm in the event of catastrophe or emergency. When challenged by adversity, charge onwards with courage and jubilation. This is rising to a higher level. It is like the saying, “The more water there is, the higher the boat rises.

Si alcanzáis demasiado rápido la gloria, la gente se volverá vuestro enemigo y no seréis de ninguna utilidad. Si os eleváis progresivamente en el mundo, las personas serán aliados vuestros y seréis felices. A la larga, que hayáis sido rápido o lento, en cuanto hayáis adquirido la comprensión de los otros, nada os amenaza. Se dice que la suerte que os es dada por otros es la más segura.

in china there was once a man who liked pictures of dragons, and his clothing and furnishings were all designed accordingly. his deep affections for dragons was brought to the attention of the dragon god, and one day a real dragon appeared before his window. it is said that he died of fright. he was probably a man who always spoke big words but acted differently when facing the real thing.

It is bad to carry even the good thing too far. Even concerning things such as Buddhism, Buddhist sermons, and moral lessons, talking too much will bring harm.

A person who is discreet in speaking will be useful during the good times and will avoid punishment during the bad.

Although it stands to reason that a samurai should be mindful of the Way of the Samurai, it would seem that we are all negligent. Consequently, if someone were to ask, "What is the true meaning of the Way of the Samurai?" the person who would be able to answer promptly is rare. This is because it has not been established in one's mind beforehand. From this, one's unmindfulness of the Way can be known. Negligence is an extreme thing.

Papras­ti žmo­nės tvir­tai lai­ko­si sa­vo nuo­mo­nės ir to­dėl re­tai pranoks­ta ki­tus. Ta­čiau bū­tent po­kal­bis su žmo­gu­mi yra pir­mas žings­nis jį pra­nok­ti.

This is the substance of the Way of the Samurai: if by setting one's heart right every morning and evening, one is able to live as though his body were already dead, he gains freedom in the Way.
his whole life will be without blame, and he will succeed in his calling.

Feeling deeply the difference between oneself and others, bearing ill will and falling out with people — these things come from a heart that lacks compassion. If one wraps up everything with a heart of compassion, there will be no coming into conflict with people.