As everything in this world is but a sham, Death is the only sincerity. Yamamoto Tsunetomo More Quotes by Yamamoto Tsunetomo More Quotes From Yamamoto Tsunetomo The person who practices an art is an artist, not a samurai, and one should have the intention of being called a samurai. Yamamoto Tsunetomo should-have war art One should be wary of talking on end about such subjects as learning, morality or folklore in front of elders or people of rank. It is disagreeable to listen to. Yamamoto Tsunetomo talking war people Matters of small concern should be treated seriously. Yamamoto Tsunetomo concern should matter In the Kamigata area, they have a sort of tiered lunchbox they use for a single day when flower viewing. Upon returning, they throw them away, trampling them underfoot. The end is important in all things. Yamamoto Tsunetomo important flower use Our bodies are given life from the midst of nothingness. Existing where there is nothing is the meaning of the phrase, "Form is emptiness." That all things are provided for by nothingness is the meaning of the phrase, "Emptiness is form." One should not think that these are two seperate things. Yamamoto Tsunetomo phrases two thinking When one is writing a letter, he should think that the recipient will make it into a hanging scroll. Yamamoto Tsunetomo letters writing thinking What is called generosity is really compassion. In the Shin'ei it is written "Seen from the eye of compassion, there is noone to be disliked. One who has sinned is to be pitied all the more." There is no limit to the breadth and depth of ones heart. There is room enough for all. That we still worship the sages of the three ancient kingdoms is because their compassion reaches us yet today. Yamamoto Tsunetomo eye compassion heart Be true to the thought of the moment and avoid distraction. Other than continuing to exert yourself, enter into nothing else, but go to the extent of living single thought by single thought. Yamamoto Tsunetomo distraction moments war When something out of the ordinary happens, it is ridiculous to say that it is a mystery or a portent of something to come... the mystery is created in (their) minds, and by waiting for disaster, it is from their very minds that it occurs. Yamamoto Tsunetomo waiting mind war The heart of a virtuous person has settled down and he does not rush about at things. A person of little merit is not at peace but walks about making trouble and is in conflict with all. Yamamoto Tsunetomo down-and doe heart Covetousness, anger and foolishness are things to sort out well. When bad things happen in the world, if you look at them comparatively, they are not unrelated to these three things. Yamamoto Tsunetomo three war looks Looking comparatively at the good things, you will see that they are not excluded from wisdom, humanity and bravery. Yamamoto Tsunetomo humanity bravery war It is better to have some unhappiness while one is still young, for if a person does not experience some bitterness, his disposition will not settle down. Yamamoto Tsunetomo bitterness doe war A warrior should not say something fainthearted, even casually. He should set his mind to this beforehand. Even in trifling matters the depths of one's heart can be seen. Yamamoto Tsunetomo mind heart war It is better not to become acquainted with men about whom you have formerly had doubts. No matter what you do, they will be people by whom you will be tripped up or taken in. Yamamoto Tsunetomo taken men war There is not a man who does not get senile by the time he reaches sixty. And when one thinks that he will not be senile, he is already so. Yamamoto Tsunetomo men war thinking Not to borrow the strength of another, nor to rely on one's own strength; to cut off past and future thoughts, and not to live within the everyday mind... then the Great Way is right before your eyes. Yamamoto Tsunetomo warrior cutting eye All of man’s work is a bloody business. That fact, today, is considered foolish, affairs are finished cleverly with words alone, and jobs that require effort are avoided. I would like young men to have some understanding of this. Yamamoto Tsunetomo effort jobs men There is one transcending level, and this is the most excellent of all. This person is aware of the endlessness of entering deeply into a certain Way and never thinks of himself as having finished. Yamamoto Tsunetomo entering war thinking It is bad when one thing becomes two. One should not look for anything else in 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. Yamamoto Tsunetomo samurai two looks
