Warrior Quotes
Here is a collection of quotes and passages on warriorship that I like. I hope you will gain some valuable wisdom from these.
My life is simple, my food is plain, and my quarters are uncluttered. In all things, I have sought clarity. I face the troubles and problems of life and death willingly. Virtue, integrity and courage are my priorities. I can be approached, but never pushed; befriended but never coerced; killed but never shamed.
- Yi Sunshin, Last letter to an old friend.
1. Do not think dishonestly.
2. The Way is in training.
3. Become acquainted with every art.
4. Know the Ways of all professions.
5. Distinguish between gain and loss in worldly matters.
6. Develop intuitive judgment and understanding for everything
7. Percieve those things which cannot be seen.
8. Pay attention even to trifles.
9. Do nothing which is of no use.
- Musashi Miyamoto, A Book Of Five Rings (Go Rin No Sho)
Focus on your one purpose
- Japanese motto
The Way of a Warrior is based on humanity, love, and sincerity; the heart of martial valor is true bravery, wisdom, love, and friendship. Emphasis on the physical aspects of warriorship is futile, for the power of the body is always limited.
- Ueshiba Morihei, The Art Of Peace
The path of the Warrior is lifelong, and mastery is often simply staying on the path.
- Richard Strozzi Heckler, In Search of the Warrior Spirit
The man who would be a warrior considers it his most basic intention to keep death always in mind, day and night, from the time he first picks up his chopsticks in celebrating his morning meal on New Year's Day to the evening of the last day of the year. When one constantly keeps death in mind, both loyalty and filial piety are realized, myriad evils and disasters are avoided, one is without illness and mishap, and lives out a long life. In addition, even his character is improved. Such are the many benifits of this act.
-Daidoji Yuzan, Budoshoshinshu: The Warrior's Primer (William Scott Wilson translation)
Whenever you meet difficult situations dash forward bravely and joyfully.
- Tsunetomo Yamamoto, Hagakure
Take arrows in your forehead, but never in your back.
- Samurai maxim
You can prevent your opponent from defeating you through defense, but you cannot defeat him without taking the offensive.
- Sun Tzu
The fighter is to be always single-minded with one object in view: to fight, looking neither backward nor sidewise. To go straight forward in order to crush the enemy is all that is necessary for him.
- Daisetz Suzuki
If you walk, just walk. If you sit, just sit. But whatever you do, don't wobble.
- Master Ummon
Go to the battlefield firmly confident of victory and you will come home with no wounds whatsoever.
- Samurai general Kenshin Uesugi (1530-78)
The warrior's intention should be simply to grasp his sword and to die.
- Kiyomasa Kato (1562-1611)
He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.
- Friedrich Nietzsche
First see to it that you, yourself, are all right, then think of defeating an opponent.
- The Way of the Spear
If you know the art of breathing you have the strength, wisdom and courage of ten tigers.
- Chinese adage
The focused mind can pierce through stone.
- Japanese maxim
When attacking, don't be careless.
- The Way of the Spear
Tomorrow's battle is won during today's practice.
- Samurai maxim
The end of our Way of the sword is to be fearless when confronting our inner enemies and our outer enemies.
- Tesshu Yamaoka, 19th century Kendo master
To fight and conquer in one hundred battles is not the highest skill. To subdue the enemy with no fight at all, that's the highest skill.
- Sun Tsu
It's a difficult thing to truly know your own limits and points of weakness.
- Hagakure
If the enemy stays spirited it is difficult to crush him.
- Musashi Miyamoto
A warrior must only take care that his spirit is never broken.
- Shissai
Don't always think in a straight line.
- The Way of the Spear
Katte, kabuto no o o shime yo!
After victory, tighten you helmet cords!
- Samurai battle cry
I am a Shawnee. My forefathers were warriors. Their son is a warrior...From my tribe I take nothing. I am the maker of my own fortune.
- Tecumseh
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