One should make his decisions within the space of seven breaths. — Yamamoto Tsunetomo Copy Share Image
If you are slain in battle, you should be resolved to have your corpse facing the enemy. — Yamamoto Tsunetomo Copy Share Image
Light matters should be dealt with seriously. Serious matters should be dealt with lightly. — Yamamoto Tsunetomo Copy Share Image
Even if one's head were to be suddenly cut off, he should be able to do one more action with certainty. — Yamamoto Tsunetomo Copy Share Image
When one is writing a letter, he should think that the recipient will make it into a hanging scroll. — Yamamoto Tsunetomo Copy Share Image
When meeting difficult situations, one should dash forward bravely and with joy. — Yamamoto Tsunetomo Copy Share Image
When someone is giving you his opinion, you should receive it with deep gratitude even though it is worthless. If you don't,… — Yamamoto Tsunetomo Copy Share Image
There is nothing we should be quite so grateful for as the last line of the poem that goes, 'When your own… — Yamamoto Tsunetomo Copy Share Image
It is said that one should not hesitate to correct himself when he has made a mistake. If he corrects himself without… — Yamamoto Tsunetomo Copy Share Image
A warrior should not say something fainthearted, even casually. He should set his mind to this beforehand. Even in trifling matters the… — Yamamoto Tsunetomo Copy Share Image
The person who practices an art is an artist, not a samurai, and one should have the intention of being called a… — Yamamoto Tsunetomo Copy Share Image
It is a principle of the art of war that one should simply lay down his life and strike. If one's opponent… — Yamamoto Tsunetomo Copy Share Image
In the eyes of mercy, no one should have hateful thoughts. Feel pity for the man who is even more at fault.… — Yamamoto Tsunetomo Copy Share Image
Meditation on inevitable death should be performed daily. Every day one should meditate on being carried away by surging waves, falling from… — Yamamoto Tsunetomo Copy Share Image
It is bad when one thing becomes two. One should not look for anything else in the Way of the Samurai. If… — Yamamoto Tsunetomo Copy Share Image
Every day without fail one should consider himself as dead. There is a saying of the elders that goes, 'Step from under… — Yamamoto Tsunetomo Copy Share Image
Our bodies are given life from the midst of nothingness. Existing where there is nothing is the meaning of the phrase, "Form… — Yamamoto Tsunetomo Copy Share Image
All of us want to live, and that is absolutely natural. However, we should learn from childhood on to choose our best… — Yamamoto Tsunetomo Copy Share Image
Death seems to be a long way off. Is this not shallow thinking? It is worthless and is only a joke within… — Yamamoto Tsunetomo Copy Share Image
Meditation on inevitable death should be performed daily. Every day when one’s body and mind are at peace, one should meditate upon… — Yamamoto Tsunetomo Copy Share Image
One should be wary of talking on end about such subjects as learning, morality or folklore in front of elders or people… — Yamamoto Tsunetomo Copy Share Image
If a retainer will just think about what he is to do for the day at hand, he will be able to… — Yamamoto Tsunetomo Copy Share Image
It is better not to become acquainted with men about whom you have formerly had doubts. No matter what you do, they will be… — Yamamoto Tsunetomo Copy Share
When one has made a decision to kill a person, even if it will be very difficult to succeed by advancing straight ahead, it… — Yamamoto Tsunetomo Copy Share
A person who is discreet in speaking will be useful during the good times and will avoid punishment during the bad. — Yamamoto Tsunetomo Copy Share
“[...] if one seeks to resolve a problem, let it sit for a while, take time to think about the “Four Oaths” and subdue… — Yamamoto Tsunetomo Copy Share
It is a principle of the art of war that one should simply lay down his life and strike. If one's opponent also does… — Yamamoto Tsunetomo Copy Share
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… — Yamamoto Tsunetomo Copy Share
Covetousness, anger and foolishness are things to sort out well. When bad things happen in the world, if you look at them comparatively, they… — Yamamoto Tsunetomo Copy Share
Looking comparatively at the good things, you will see that they are not excluded from wisdom, humanity and bravery. — Yamamoto Tsunetomo Copy Share
When something out of the ordinary happens, it is ridiculous to say that it is a mystery or a portent of something to come...… — Yamamoto Tsunetomo Copy Share
It is bad when one thing becomes two. One should not look for anything else in the Way of the Samurai. If one understands… — Yamamoto Tsunetomo Copy Share
When delivering something like an important letter or other written materials, grasp it firmly in your hand as you go and do not release… — Yamamoto Tsunetomo Copy Share
