Arrows Quote by Yamamoto Tsunetomo
“Meditation on inevitable death should be performed daily. Every day when one’s body and mind are at peace, one should meditate upon being ripped apart by arrows, rifles, spears and swords, being carried away by surging waves, being thrown into the midst of a great fire, being struck by lightning, being shaken to death by a great earthquake, falling from thousand-foot cliffs, dying of disease or committing seppuku at the death of one’s master. And every day without fail one should consider himself as dead”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: Hagakure, 1716
Contemplating death daily cultivates humility, presence, and readiness for life's impermanence.
In simple terms: Think of death each day to stay grounded.
Key Takeaway
Embrace mortality to live fully.
Themes
humility
mindfulness
impermanence
Mood
reflective
serene
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- soldier training
- leadership
- personal resilience
- stress management
Key Concepts
Stoicism
Zen
memento mori
Questions to Reflect On
- How does daily mortality meditation affect your decisions?
- What fear does this practice reveal?
A Different Perspective
Neglecting death can lead to fear and avoidance of reality.
![“[...] 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_oaths_if-one-seeks-to-resolve-a-problem-let-it_123208.jpg)
