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 the same, it is a even match. Defeating one's opponent is then a matter of faith and destiny. Yamamoto Tsunetomo More Quotes by Yamamoto Tsunetomo More Quotes From Yamamoto Tsunetomo By inconsistency and frivolity we stray from the Way and show ourselves to be beginners. In this we do much harm. Yamamoto Tsunetomo beginners war way The basic meaning of etiquette is to be quick at both the beginning and end and tranquil in the middle. Yamamoto Tsunetomo beginnings-and-ends middle war One's appearance bespeaks dignity corresponding to the depth of his character. One's concentrated effort, serene attitude, taciturn air, courteous disposition, thoroughly polite bearing, gritted teeth with a piercing look - each of these reveals dignity. Such outward appearance, in short, comes from constant attentiveness and seriousness. Yamamoto Tsunetomo look effort attitude character All of us want to live, and that is absolutely natural. However, we should learn from childhood on to choose our best way to die. If we don't do that, we end up spending our days like a dog, only in search of harbour, food and expressing a blind loyalty to his owner in return. That isn't enough to make our lives have a meaning. Yamamoto Tsunetomo best childhood dog food Every day without fail one should consider himself as dead. There is a saying of the elders that goes, 'Step from under the eaves and you're a dead man. Leave the gate and the enemy is waiting.' This is not a matter of being careful. It is to consider oneself as dead beforehand. Yamamoto Tsunetomo day you man waiting Meditation on inevitable death should be performed daily. Every day one should meditate on being carried away by surging waves, falling from thousand-foot cliffs, dying of disease. Yamamoto Tsunetomo every-day daily day death When meeting difficult situations, one should dash forward bravely and with joy. Yamamoto Tsunetomo meeting forward difficult joy Whether people be of high or low birth, rich or poor, old or young, enlightened or confused, they are all alike in that they will one day die. Yamamoto Tsunetomo die day rich people Death seems to be a long way off. Is this not shallow thinking? It is worthless and is only a joke within a dream. It will not do to think in such a way and be negligent. Insofar as death is always at one's door, one should make sufficient effort and act quickly. Yamamoto Tsunetomo effort long death thinking There is surely nothing other than the single purpose of the present moment. A man's whole life is a succession of moment after moment. If one fully understands the present moment, there will be nothing else to do, and nothing else to pursue. Live being true to the single purpose of the moment. Yamamoto Tsunetomo life-is-a moment man life
