--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Some vicious thing inside me stirred. I…" description: "\"“Some vicious thing inside me stirred. I felt it in my gut, the back of my neck, my hands. I thought of Musashi, the master swordsman, who wrote, You m..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a30/barry-eisler-1009_swordsman_some-vicious-thing-inside-me-stirred-i-f_348606.jpg" --- # Some vicious thing inside me stirred. I felt it in my gut… ![“Some vicious thing inside me stirred. I felt it in my gut, the back of my neck, my hands. I thought of Musashi, the master swordsman, who wrote, You must think of neither victory nor of defeat, but only of cutting and killing your enemy.” quote by Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a30/barry-eisler-1009_swordsman_some-vicious-thing-inside-me-stirred-i-f_348606.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a30/barry-eisler-1009_swordsman_some-vicious-thing-inside-me-stirred-i-f_348606.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a30/barry-eisler-1009_swordsman_some-vicious-thing-inside-me-stirred-i-f_348606.jpg) > ““Some vicious thing inside me stirred. I felt it in my gut, the back of my neck, my hands. I thought of Musashi, the master swordsman, who wrote, You must think of neither victory nor of defeat, but only of cutting and killing your enemy.”” [Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-eisler/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He likens inner turmoil to a warrior’s focus, urging action without attachment to outcomes. **In simple terms:** Act decisively, not obsessing about winning or losing. Key Takeaway Focus on the task, let results follow. Themes discipline focus action Mood motivational strategic Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - high‑pressure work - sports competition - creative projects - conflict resolution Key Concepts mindfulness martial philosophy psychology Questions to Reflect On - When does decisive action become reckless? - How do you stay ethical under pressure? A Different Perspective Over‑focus on action can ignore ethical considerations. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Master Swordsman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/master-swordsman-306760/) [Musashi Master](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/musashi-master-306759/) [Swordsman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/swordsman/) [Swordsman Wrote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/swordsman-wrote-306758/) [Thought Musashi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought-musashi-306757/) ## Related quotes > [“I thought of Musashi, the master swordsman, who wrote, You must think of neither victory nor of defeat, but only of cutting and killing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-eisler/i-thought-of-musashi-the-master-swordsman-who-wrote-you-must-think-of/) [Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-eisler/) > [Musashi, who trained himself, became a master swordsman who was never defeated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerr-cuhulain/musashi-who-trained-himself-became-a-master-swordsman-who-was-never/) [Kerr Cuhulain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerr-cuhulain/) > [The master swordsman isn't interested in killing people. He only wants to perfect his art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-dewitt/the-master-swordsman-isn-t-interested-in-killing-people-he-only-wants/) [Helen DeWitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-dewitt/) > [“Vaelin knew himself to be the best swordsman among them. Dentos was master of the bow, Barkus unarmed combat, Nortah the finest rider and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-ryan/vaelin-knew-himself-to-be-the-best-swordsman-among-them-dentos-was/) [Anthony Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-ryan/) > [“An hour later it had become obvious that as a swordsman Alucius made a fine poet.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-ryan/an-hour-later-it-had-become-obvious-that-as-a-swordsman-alucius-made/) [Anthony Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-ryan/) > [I collect swords, but I'm not really a swordsman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kofi-kingston/i-collect-swords-but-i-m-not-really-a-swordsman/) [Kofi Kingston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kofi-kingston/) > [Our heroes are simple: they are brave, they tell the truth, they are good swordsmen and they are never in the long run really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-greene/our-heroes-are-simple-they-are-brave-they-tell-the-truth-they-are/) [Graham Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-greene/) > [“This mulatto gentleman could powder and dress as he liked, however, because he was acknowledged to be the greatest swordsman in Europe. 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The swordsman stood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-jewel/air-swirled-over-her-shoulders-leaving-a-wake-of-chilled-skin-to-her/) [Carolyn Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-jewel/) > [Scars on the back are a swordsman’s shame.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoro/scars-on-the-back-are-a-swordsman-s-shame/) [Zoro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoro/) > [We are double-edged blades, and every time we whet our virtue the return stroke straps our vice. Where is the skillful swordsman who can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/we-are-double-edged-blades-and-every-time-we-whet-our-virtue-the/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [“Peter was a superb swordsman, and parried with dazzling rapidity; ever and anon he followed up a feint with a lunge that got past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-barrie/peter-was-a-superb-swordsman-and-parried-with-dazzling-rapidity-ever/) [J.M. Barrie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-barrie/) > [You would do well to know, Marcus, that irritating a better swordsman than yourself is a good way to end up dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-e-feist/you-would-do-well-to-know-marcus-that-irritating-a-better-swordsman/) [Raymond E. Feist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-e-feist/) ## More by Barry Eisler > [“But, like all indulgences that are valued not just for their product but for their process, the sento will never entirely disappear. For in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-eisler/but-like-all-indulgences-that-are-valued-not-just-for-their-product/) [Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-eisler/) > [“She’s a bargirl. You don’t know where her loyalties lie. That one was unconvincing. No one had directed her against me—I was the one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-eisler/she-s-a-bargirl-you-don-t-know-where-her-loyalties-lie-that-one-was/) [Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-eisler/) > [“In my unpleasant experience, unarmed against a knife, you’ve basically got four options. Your best bet is to run like hell, if you can.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-eisler/in-my-unpleasant-experience-unarmed-against-a-knife-you-ve-basically/) [Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-eisler/) > [The most important guideline when it comes to argument is the golden rule. 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I wondered for a moment how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-eisler/i-heard-laughter-and-looked-up-some-kids-at-the-terminal-next-to-me/) [Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-eisler/) > [“I shifted my head slightly. The corners of our mouths brushed together. I felt her breath on my cheek. Then we were kissing. Her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-eisler/i-shifted-my-head-slightly-the-corners-of-our-mouths-brushed-together/) [Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-eisler/) > [“I looked at her. Why was it her question seemed suffused with double entendre? She was attractive, of course, more than attractive, but that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-eisler/i-looked-at-her-why-was-it-her-question-seemed-suffused-with-double/) [Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-eisler/) > [“I realized my knowledge of that potentially damning evidence gave Delilah a reason to want me out of the way. “Out of the way”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-eisler/i-realized-my-knowledge-of-that-potentially-damning-evidence-gave/) [Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-eisler/) > [“I wouldn’t want to try to take this guy out with anything less than a scoped rifle. Which is something that’s hard to confuse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-eisler/i-wouldn-t-want-to-try-to-take-this-guy-out-with-anything-less-than-a/) [Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-eisler/) > [“I picked up the earthen cup and went to take a sip. “Not like that,” Miyamoto said. “Let it cool a little. Give yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-eisler/i-picked-up-the-earthen-cup-and-went-to-take-a-sip-not-like-that/) [Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-eisler/) > [“It seemed he’d recently learned the value of playing up the difficulty of accomplishing whatever he was tasked with, the better to play the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-eisler/it-seemed-he-d-recently-learned-the-value-of-playing-up-the/) [Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-eisler/) > [“Yukiko walked over, her mouth stretching into a feline grin at the sight of Murakami. Naomi followed a moment later. She was wearing another…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-eisler/yukiko-walked-over-her-mouth-stretching-into-a-feline-grin-at-the/) [Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-eisler/) > [It would be awesome to be so impressive that we could sway people to our way of thinking just by declaiming our thoughts, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-eisler/it-would-be-awesome-to-be-so-impressive-that-we-could-sway-people-to/) [Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-eisler/) [Explore all 305 Barry Eisler quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-eisler/) ## More Swordsman quotes > [You would do well to know, Marcus, that irritating a better swordsman than yourself is a good way to end up dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-e-feist/you-would-do-well-to-know-marcus-that-irritating-a-better-swordsman/) [Raymond E. Feist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-e-feist/) > [“Peter was a superb swordsman, and parried with dazzling rapidity; ever and anon he followed up a feint with a lunge that got past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-barrie/peter-was-a-superb-swordsman-and-parried-with-dazzling-rapidity-ever/) [J.M. Barrie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-barrie/) > [We are double-edged blades, and every time we whet our virtue the return stroke straps our vice. Where is the skillful swordsman who can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/we-are-double-edged-blades-and-every-time-we-whet-our-virtue-the/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Scars on the back are a swordsman’s shame.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoro/scars-on-the-back-are-a-swordsman-s-shame/) [Zoro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoro/) > [“Air swirled over her shoulders leaving a wake of chilled skin. To her left something stirred in the shadows. She blinked. The swordsman stood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-jewel/air-swirled-over-her-shoulders-leaving-a-wake-of-chilled-skin-to-her/) [Carolyn Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-jewel/) > [The master swordsman isn't interested in killing people. He only wants to perfect his art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-dewitt/the-master-swordsman-isn-t-interested-in-killing-people-he-only-wants/) [Helen DeWitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-dewitt/) > [“I felt an angry flush colour my face. "I was in the middle of training. I don't need your help." "I'm the best swordsman…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-young/i-felt-an-angry-flush-colour-my-face-i-was-in-the-middle-of-training/) [Samantha Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-young/) > [“We have our swordsman, so let's get moving. Brigan, could you attempt, at least, to make yourself presentable? I know this is a war,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-cashore/we-have-our-swordsman-so-let-s-get-moving-brigan-could-you-attempt-at/) [Kristin Cashore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-cashore/) > [“This mulatto gentleman could powder and dress as he liked, however, because he was acknowledged to be the greatest swordsman in Europe. Over the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-reiss/this-mulatto-gentleman-could-powder-and-dress-as-he-liked-however/) [Tom Reiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-reiss/) > [Our heroes are simple: they are brave, they tell the truth, they are good swordsmen and they are never in the long run really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-greene/our-heroes-are-simple-they-are-brave-they-tell-the-truth-they-are/) [Graham Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-greene/) > [I collect swords, but I'm not really a swordsman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kofi-kingston/i-collect-swords-but-i-m-not-really-a-swordsman/) [Kofi Kingston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kofi-kingston/) > [“An hour later it had become obvious that as a swordsman Alucius made a fine poet.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-ryan/an-hour-later-it-had-become-obvious-that-as-a-swordsman-alucius-made/) [Anthony Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-ryan/) > [“Vaelin knew himself to be the best swordsman among them. 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Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [Quintus…” Geryon mused. “Short gray hair, muscular, swordsman?” “Yeah.” “Never heard of him,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/quintus-geryon-mused-short-gray-hair-muscular-swordsman-yeah-never/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) [Browse all 42 Swordsman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/swordsman/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Some vicious thing inside me stirred. I felt it in my gut, the back of my neck, my hands. 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