Bushido Quote by Yamamoto Tsunetomo
““Lord Naoshige said, " The Way of the Samurai is in desperateness. Ten men or more cannot kill a man. Common sense will not accomplish great things. Simply become insane and desperate. "In the Way of the Samurai, if one uses discrimination, he will fall behind. One needs neither loyalty nor devotion, but simply to become desperate in the Way. Loyalty and devotion are themselves within desperation.””
About This Quote
Source Treatise: Hagakure, 1716
Samurai greatness requires reckless abandon, not conventional logic or loyalty.
In simple terms: Greatness needs desperate, unconventional action.
Key Takeaway
Embrace bold, unconventional tactics.
Themes
honor
desperation
strategy
Mood
serious
intense
Type
philosophical
historical
When to use this quote
- military leadership
- personal crisis
- creative breakthroughs
Key Concepts
samurai ethos
risk‑taking
non‑conformity
Questions to Reflect On
- When does reckless abandon become harmful?
- Can loyalty coexist with desperation?
A Different Perspective
Such desperation can lead to reckless or unethical choices.
![“[...] if one seeks to resolve a problem, let it sit for a while, take time to think about the “Four Oaths” and subdue any self-centered thoughts, and then you will be able to proceed without faltering.” quote by Yamamoto Tsunetomo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/049/yamamoto-tsunetomo-4367_quote_if-one-seeks-to-resolve-a-problem-let-it_123208.jpg)
