Having been born into the house of a warrior, one's intentions should be to grasp the long and the

short swords and to die. kato kiyomasa The arts of peace and the arts of war are like two wheels of a cart which, lacking one, will have difficulty in standing. kuroda nagamasa Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Seek what they sought. Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home. matsuo basho

matsuo basho

Cutting down the enemy is the way of strategy, and there is no need for many refinements of it. miyamoto musashi When you have attained the way of strategy there will be nothing that you cannot understand. You will see the way in everything. miyamoto musashi The way of the warrior is resolute acceptance of death. miyamoto musashi As if with the nut and flower, the nut has become less than the flower...both those teaching and those learning are concerned with colouring and showing off their technique, trying to hasten the bloom of the flower. miyamoto musashi The way of the farmer. Using agricultural instruments, he sees springs through to autumns with an eye on the changes of the season. miyamoto musashi Second is the way of the merchant. The wine maker obtains his ingredients and puts them to use to make his living. The way of the merchant is always to live by taking profit. miyamoto musashi Thirdly, the gentlemen warrior, carrying the weaponry of his way. The way of the warrior is to master the virtue of his weapons. If a gentlemen dislikes strategy he will not appreciate the benefit of weaponry, so must he not have a little taste for this? miyamoto musashi Fourthly, the way of the artisan. The way of the carpenter is to become proficient in the use of his tools, first to lay his plans with true measure and then perform his work according to plan. Thus he passes through life. miyamoto musashi If you want to learn the craft of war, ponder over this book. The teacher is as a needle, the disciple is as thread. You must practice constantly. miyamoto musashi The spirit of defeating a man is the same for ten million men. The strategist makes small things into big things, like building a great Buddha from a one foot model. miyamoto musashi When you appreciate the power of nature, knowing the rhythm of any situation, you will be able to hit the enemy naturally and strike naturally. miyamoto musashi This is truth: When you sacrifice your life, you must make fullest use of your weaponry. It is false not to do so, and to die with a weapon as yet undrawn. miyamoto musashi It is not difficult to wield a sword in one hand; the Way to learn this is to train with two long swords, one in each hand. It will seem difficult at first, but everything is difficult at first. miyamoto musashi

The best use of the companion sword is in a confined space, or when you are engaged closely with an opponent. The long sword can be used effectively in all situations. miyamoto musashi The halberd is inferior to the spear on the battlefield. With the spear you can take the initiative, the halberd is defensive. miyamoto musashi The bow is tactically strong at the commencement of battle, especially battles on a moor, as it is possible to shoot quickly among the spearmen. miyamoto musashi From inside fortifications, the gun has no equal among weapons. It is the supreme weapon on the field before the ranks clash, but once swords are crossed the gun becomes useless. miyamoto musashi You should not have a favourite weapon. To become over-familiar with one weapon is as much a fault as not knowing it sufficiently well. miyamoto musashi Also by training you will be able to freely control your own body, conquer men with your body, and with sufficient training you will be able to beat ten men with your spirit. When you have reached this point, will it not mean that you are invincible? miyamoto musashi If there is a Way involving the spirit of not being defeated, to help oneself and gain honour, it is the Way of Strategy. miyamoto musashi Do not let your spirit be influenced by your body, or your body be influenced by your spirit. Be neither insufficiently spirited or over spirited. An elevated spirit is weak and a low spirit is weak. Do not let the enemy see your spirit. miyamoto musashi

Polish your wisdom: learn public justice, distinguish between good and evil, study the ways of different arts one by one. miyamoto musashi When you cannot be deceived by men you will have realised the wisdom of strategy. musashi miyamoto

In strategy it is important to see distant things as if they were close and to take a distanced view of close things. miyamoto musashi It is necessary in strategy to be able to look to both sides without moving the eyeballs. You cannot master this ability quickly. miyamoto musashi When you take up a sword, you must feel intent on cutting up the enemy. As you cut an enemy you must not change your grip, and your hands must not cower. miyamoto musashi To cut and slash are two different things. Cutting, whatever form of cutting it is, is decisive, with a resolute spirit. Slashing is nothing more than touching the enemy. miyamoto musashi With your spirit calm, attack with a feeling of constantly crushing the enemy, from first to last. The spirit is to win in the depths of the enemy. miyamoto musashi

The important thing in strategy is to suppress the enemy's useful actions, but allow his useless actions. miyamoto musashi 'Crossing at a ford' occurs often in a man's lifetime. It means setting sail even though your friends stay in harbour, knowing the route, knowing the soundness of your ship and the favour of the day. miyamoto musashi When the enemy starts to collapse you must pursue him without the chance of letting go. If you fail to take advantage of your enemies collapse, they may recover. miyamoto musashi When you cannot see the enemy's position, indicate that you are about to attack strongly, to discover his resources. miyamoto musashi You can frighten the enemy not just by what you present to their eyes, but by shouting, making a small force seem large, or by threatening them from the flank without warning. miyamoto musashi What is called the spirit of the void is where there is nothing. It is not included in man's knowledge. miyamoto musashi People in this world look at things mistakenly, and think that what they do not understand must be the void. This is not the true void. It is bewilderment. miyamoto musashi In the void is virtue, and no evil. Wisdom has existence, principle has existence, the way has existence, spirit is nothingness. miyamoto musashi The void is nothingness. By knowing things that exist, you can know that which does not exist. That is the void. miyamoto musashi The gaze should be large and broad. This is the twofold gaze 'Perception and Sight'. Perception is strong and sight weak. miyamoto musashi If we watch men of other skills discussing theory, and concentrating on techniques with the hands, even though they seem skilful to watch, they have not the slightest true spirit. miyamoto musashi In strategy your spiritual bearing must not be any different from normal. Both in fighting and in everyday life you should be determined though calm. Meet the situation without tenseness yet not recklessly, your spirit settled yet unbiased. miyamoto musashi When you decide to attack, keep calm and dash in quickly, forestalling the enemy. Or you can advance seemingly strongly but with a reserved spirit, forestalling him in advance. miyamoto musashi In contests of strategy it is bad to be led about by the enemy. You must always be able to lead the enemy about. miyamoto musashi Perceive that which cannot be seen with the eye. miyamoto musashi

You win battles by knowing the enemy's timing, and using a timing which the enemy does not expect. miyamoto musashi

Generally speaking, the way of the warrior is resolute acceptance of death.

miyamoto musashi

If the enemy thinks of the mountains, attack like the sea; and if he thinks of the sea, attack like the mountains. miyamoto musashi To master the virtue of the long sword is to govern the world and oneself, thus the long sword is the basis of strategy. If he attains the virtue of the long sword, one man can beat ten men. In my strategy, one man is the same as ten thousand, so this strategy is the complete warrior's craft. miyamoto musashi Intelligence is the flower of discrimination. There are many examples of the flower blooming but not bearing fruit. nabeshima naoshige Bushido is in being crazy to die. Fifty or more could not kill one such a man. naoshige nabeshima

Consider the minds of your underlings well, for it will be difficult to be wide of the mark when judging things in comparison from their standpoint. nabeshima naoshige Encourage and listen well to the words of your subordinates. It is well known that gold lies hidden underground. nabeshima naoshige No matter whether a person belongs to the upper or lower ranks, if he has not put his life on the line at least once he has cause for shame. nabeshima naoshige The way of the samurai is found in death. When it comes to either/or, there is only the quick choice of death. It is not particularly difficult. Be determined and advance. nabeshima naoshige Throughout your life advance daily, becoming more skilful than yesterday, more skilful than today. This is never-ending. nabeshima naoshige Matters of great concern should be treated lightly. nabeshima naoshige

No matter if the enemy has thousands of men, there is fulfilment in simply standing them off and being determined to cut them all down, starting from one end. nabeshima naoshige A real man does not think of victory or defeat. He plunges recklessly towards an irrational death. By doing this, you will awaken from your dreams. nabeshima naoshige A samurai with no group and no horse is not a samurai at all. nabeshima naoshige

A man whose profession is the use of arms should think and then act upon not only his fame, but also that of his descendants. He should not scandalise his name forever by holding his one and only life too dear. shiba yoshimasa Many men feel that they should act according to the time or the moment they are facing, and thus are in confusion when something goes beyond this and some difficulty arises. shiba yoshimasa Deliberate tactical errors and minor losses are the means by which to bait the enemy. sun bin

On both difficult and easy terrain, you must know the 'tenable' and 'fatal' ground. Occupy tenable ground and attack on fatal ground. sun bin One's soldiers should not yell abuse at the enemy. An old saying goes: "Arouse a bee and it will come at you with the force of a dragon." takeda nobushige In the Wu Tzu it says: "He who would save his life shall lose it, and he who would give up his life shall save it."takeda nobushige One should not utter a word about his own inadequacies. In the Oxo it says: "When a man lets out a single word, the long and short of him will be known." takeda nobushige One must not be negligent in learning. In the Lun Yu it says: "To study and not to think is darkness. To think without study is dangerous." takeda nobushige One must never be perfidious to his master. In the Lun Yu it says: "One should act according to the way even in times of haste. One should act according to the way even in times of danger. It says further: 'When one is serving his master, he should exert himself." takeda nobushige One should not turn his back on reproof. In the words of the ancients: "Good medicine is bitter to the mouth, but has an effect on the disease. Faithful words hurt one's ears, but have value for one's conduct." takeda nobushige It is also said that: "The man who hunts a deer does not gaze at the mountains." takeda nobushige When one would make a surprise attack on the enemy, he should avoid the major roads and seek out the lesser ones. Then attack. takeda nobushige A man with deep far-sightedness will survey both the beginning and the end of a situation and continually consider its every facet as important. takeda shingen Learning is to a man as the leaves and branches are to a tree, and it can be said that he should simply not be without it. takeda shingen Men with discrimination will be viewed as schemers; second, men with deep far-sightedness will be seen as cowards; and third, men with rough behaviour will be mistaken for real warriors. takeda shingen When a flower is composed, it does not bloom all at once although the spring has come. Otherwise, yesterday's friend will become today's enemy, as yesterday's flower will become today's dust. chinese proverb Take care of yourself so you can serve your master. tale heike

This life is inconsequential; I am merely concerned about your facing the evil paths in the next one. tale heike How can a man commit acts of martial valour if he values his life? torii mototada

If you will take it into your mind to be sincere in throwing away your life for your master, you will not have the slightest fear or trembling even with the advent of innumerable impending calamities. torii mototada I will stand off the forces of the entire country hereand die a resplendent death. mototada torii

The people of the various provinces are strictly forbidden to have in their possession any swords, short swords, bows, spears, firearms, or other types of arms. toyotomi hideyoshi The possession of unnecessary implements makes difficult the collection of taxes and dues and tends to foment uprisings. toyotomi hideyoshi Give my dream back raven! The moon you woke me to is misted over. uejima onitsura

A samurai will use a toothpick even though he has not eaten. Inside the skin of a dog, outside the hide of a tiger. yamamoto tsunetomo An affected laugh shows lack of self-respect in a man and lewdness in a woman yamamoto tsunetomo It is carelessness to go about with one's hands inside the slits in the sides of his hakama. yamamoto tsunetomo Tether even a roasted chicken. yamamoto tsunetomo Continue to spur a running horse. yamamoto tsunetomo yamamoto

To ask when you already know is politeness. To ask when you don't know is the rule. tsunetomo

Go ahead and gamble a lie. A person who will not tell you seven lies within a hundred yards is useless as a man. yamamoto tsunetomo As long as people overlook matters, then inferiors can, without any fear, lead an easy and peaceful life. yamamoto tsunetomo When all your judgements are based on your own wisdom, you tend towards selfishness and fail by straying from the right path. yamamoto tsunetomo By bringing shame to a person, how could one expect to make him a better man? tsunetomo yamamoto

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 In the eyes of mercy, no one should have hateful thoughts. Feel pity for the man who is even more at fault. The area and size of mercy is limitless. yamamoto tsunetomo

A person who is discreet in speaking will be useful during the good times and will avoid punishment during the bad. yamamoto tsunetomo If you are slain in battle, you should be resolved to have your corpse facing the enemy. yamamoto tsunetomo 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 If one thinks only of winning, a sordid victory will be worse than a defeat. For the most part, it becomes a squalid defeat. yamamoto tsunetomo A person who knows but a little will put on an air of knowledge. This is a matter of inexperience. When someone knows something well, it will not be seen in this manner. yamamoto tsunetomo The basic meaning of etiquette is to be quick at both the beginning and end and tranquil in the middle. yamamoto tsunetomo As everything in this world is but a sham. Death is the only sincerity. One should make his decisions within the space of seven breaths. The end is important in all things. yamamoto tsunetomo yamamoto tsunetomo

yamamoto tsunetomo

It is a wretched thing that the young men today are so contriving and so proud of their material possessions. Men with contriving hearts are lacking in duty. Lacking in duty, they will have no selfrespect.yamamoto tsunetomo When delivering something like an important letter or other written materials, grasp it firmly in your hand as you go and do not release it once, but hand it over directly to the recipient. 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 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 The saying 'the arts aid the body' is for samurai of other regions. For samurai of the Nabeshima clan the arts bring ruin to the body. 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 It is said that one should not hesitate to correct himself when he has made a mistake. If he corrects himself without the least bit of delay, his mistakes will disappear. yamamoto tsunetomo

You cannot tell whether a person is good or bad by his vicissitudes in life. Good and bad fortune are matters of fate. yamamoto tsunetomo 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 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 When someone is giving you his opinion, you should receive it with deep gratitude even though it is worthless. If you don't, he will not tell you the things that he has seen and heard about you again. yamamoto tsunetomo 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 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 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 Even if one's head were to be suddenly cut off, he should be able to do one more action with certainty. yamamoto tsunetomo 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 Looking comparatively at the good things, you will see that they are not excluded from wisdom, humanity and bravery. yamamoto tsunetomo I do not strive for my salvation with weapons but with patience and humility, in accordance with the doctrine of Jesus Christ. takayama ukon If one will fix his heart in such a way and assist the world and its people, he will have the devotion of the men who see and hear him. hojo shigetoki In this world of uncertainty, ours should be a path of discipline. shiba yoshimasa One should always be genteel in his speaking. A man shows his inmost self by a single word. hojo nagauji A samurai may kill a member of the lower class who has behaved offensively to him. Authorities do not require notification, the samurai being given permission to cut down (the offender) and leave without further ado. ieyasu constitution

The peasant is the foundation of the state and must be governed with care. He must be allowed neither too much, nor too little, but just enough rice to live on and keep for seed in the following year. The remainder must be taken from him in tax. honda masanobu Peasants are people without sense or forethought. Therefore, they must not give rice to their wives and children at harvest time, but must save food for the future. They should eat millet, vegetables, and other coarse food instead of rice. Even the fallen leaves of plants should be saved as food against famine. keian no ofuregaki Gold and silver are treasures more precious than life. A man whose wish to serve is so strong that he offers bribes for an appointment shows thereby that his intentions are loyal. tanuma okitsugu To die by the sword; no finer honour exists; winters grip awaits. death poem Autumn blossom falls; death comes to all on swift wings; the warmth of life: gone. The warmth of summer; an arrow floats on the breeze; bringing with it death. Death now my master; cold as stone upon the field; I fall like blossom. death poem death poem

death poem

Through the autumn fields; his steed, swift as typhoon winds; the arrow, fleeter. death poem The depths of winter; the wolf stalks his prey by night; red blood on white snow. death poem Dreaded shikome! The winter of life revealed; my soul is now free. Wounded and beaten; go without me my brothers; I leave my body here. death poem death poem

Winters first snow; bodies freeze upon the ground; remnants of battle. death poem I die triumphant; my soul soars above the snow; released at last.death poem Although I greet death; I do not fear its icy grip; my soul is at peace. Camellia blossom; falling swiftly to the ground; my head follows after. The crane soars higher; its wings brush cherry blossom; my soul flies with it. In the ponds cool depths; the happy frog plays in spring; his life, a slow game. death poem death poem death poem death poem

Summers arid heat; the dry parched earth welcomes me; my blood nourishing. death poem Mount Fujis great peak; shrouded in tender spring rain; the lonely crane cries. death poem Blossom on the breeze; settles on the face of a corpse; beauty masking death. Warm summer rain; probes my glassy lifeless eyes; its warmth abandoned. death poem death poem

Snowflakes in the air; a cold wind carries them on; to my sacred home. death poem A doll floats downstream; carrying with it prayers; spring has come at last. Sheltering cherry; my last breath stirs your blossom; my soul ascends. Meh. death poem death poem

Autumn maple leaves; their colours, like the harvest; remind me of home.

death poem

A soul ship finds me; crystal waters call my name; I am dragged below. death poem Cold steel pierces flesh; a moment of clarity: death is not the end. death poem

The sorrow of defeat; Too much to bear; The kind sword touches my cold flesh. death poem Noble enemy: I mourn your loss as I mourned; for my first-born son. Shapes in the shadow; a glint of steel; the silence steals my happy life. Cunning tanuki; he preys upon my humble soul; I have no defence. death poem death poem death poem

The old carp is wise; he whispers his dark secrets; only the wind hears. death poem The dark tiger stalks; my soul quivers in the air; just for a moment. death poem

With my last breath; I honour my great master; now I go to him. death poem Now I meet my end; warm blood washes my mouth; the tide coming forth. My untimely death; plays like a noh tragedy; the masks are all wrong. Sunset seduces; each step brings me no closer; the horizon flees. A flash of lightning; illuminates mans journey; then darkness returns. death poem death poem death poem death poem

Raindrops on the lake; a universe of ripples; centre touching all. death poem Leaves turn green to gold; not to end but to transform; as flesh rots to dust. death poem

I grow old and hunch; as gnarled branches turn downwards; returning to roots. death poem Fish break the surface; and a reflection shatters; momentarily. death poem My acts mark the land; time makes ghosts of every deed; as snow hides footprints. Flash of steel stills me; calmness mirrors the ocean; I await the waves. death poem

asakura soteki death poem

My wake leaves little; but as ripples reach the sea; they become great waves.

I fall on my blade; crimson blossoms seed the earth; the spring buds drink deep. death poem Autumn trees shed leaves; skinning the tree one by one; until it is bare. death poem My eyes grow heavy; as blackened storm clouds grow near; engulfing the sun. death poem

Summer heat cracks dirt; weed tendrils escape and grab; dragging my bleached bones. death poem Dripping morning dew; mimics the blood from a blade; it does not wake me. The death of blossoms; is not something to grieve on; but the way of things. death poem asakura soteki

Melting icicles; once proud soldiers, lose all form; returning to streams. death poem Gold arcs through the sky; as a breeze lifts fallen leaves; and I leave my dream. death poem Everything grows cold; stillness like a frozen lake; there will be no thaw. death poem Laying in the shade; dappled sunlight warms my face; a welcome farewell. Frost coats my body; a final suit of armour; buried in silver. death poem

death poem

Journeying westward; dried leaves crumble underfoot; blown by autumn wind. death poem Lines etched in my face; are leafless winter branches; a map of my life. death poem Memories fading; awakening from the dream; gone like morning dew. death poem Covered by blossoms; I curl up to the dreaming; natures own blanket death poem

Up into the sky; I kiss the falling snowflakes; as they pass me by death poem Twice I awaken; once at the first burst of spring; once in wintertime. Crossing the river; takes me from the familiar; to new adventures. Summer insects buzz; over new fragrant flowers; and fallen soldiers. Spring blinks and withers; sheds its skin then dons a cloak; of sunset gold. death poem death poem death poem death poem

Willows slowly stoop; preparing to meet the ground; as autumn arrives. death poem In the autumn time; you cannot catch every leaf; nor halt coming age death poem

Heat haze of summer; obscures a mans path ahead; an unclear future. death poem A trees skeleton; exposed by autumn season; ready for new life death poem Spring stretches and bursts; spilling forth life but not me; my spring was last year A generous rain; it lands hard on eyes that; neither flinch nor blink. A cold, low whistle; accompanies my last breath; wind in sympathy. The new year begins; my eyes hunger for the sight; of my last sunrise. death poem

death poem death poem death poem

Turning the snow pink; in the absence of springtime; I create blossoms. death poem A man must not live under the same sky as one who has injured his lord or father. constitution ieyasu

The way of the warrior is death. This means choosing death whenever there is a choice between life and death. It means nothing else. yamamoto tsunetomo

The Four Oaths: Never be late with respect to the way of the warrior; be useful to the lord; be respectful to your parents; get beyond love and grief: exist for the good of man. yamamoto tsunetomo Dishonour is like a scar on a tree, which time, instead of effacing, only helps to enlarge. bushido maxim A little piece of gold may be highly valued, but if it gets in one's eye, the result will be darkness. iwamizudera monogatari Even if one has learned all the sayings of the sages and saints, he should not insist on them obstinately. asakura soteki A general of great merit should be said to be a man who has met with at least one great defeat. asakura soteki A dog is not considered a good dog because he is a good barker. A man is not considered a good man because he is a good talker. buddha Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. buddha The tongue like a sharp knife...kills without drawing blood. buddha

Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. buddha Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely. buddha buddha

You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger. The whole secret of existence is to have no fear. buddha Nothing ever exists entirely alone; everything is in relation to everything else. The foot feels the foot when it feels the ground. buddha

buddha

It is a man's own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways. buddha A flower falls, even though we love it; and a weed grows, even though we do not love it. dogen zenji When we discover that the truth is already in us, we are all at once our original selves. dogen zenji

The colour of the mountains is Buddha's body; the sound of running water is his great speech. dogen zenji Do not think you will necessarily be aware of your own enlightenment. dogen zenji He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight. sun tzu

He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces. sun tzu

He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks. sun tzu He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.sun tzu He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign. sun tzu

Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win. sun tzu There is no instance of a nation benefiting from prolonged warfare. sun tzu

The skilful employer of men will employ the wise man, the brave man, the covetous man, and the stupid man. sun tzu Opportunities multiply as they are seized. sun tzu

If you know your enemy and know yourself, you will not be imperilled by a hundred battles. If you do not know the others but do know yourself, you will win one and lose one. If you do not know the enemy and do not know yourselves you will be in danger in every battle. sun tzu Act after having made assessments. The one who first knows the measure of far and near wins this is the rule of armed struggle. sun tzu To perceive victory when it is known to all is not really skilful It does not take much strength to lift a hair, it does not take sharp eyes to see the sun and moon, it does not take sharp ears to hear the thunderclap. sun tzu All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved. sun tzu All warfare is based on deception. sun tzu

Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponent's fate. sun tzu Can you imagine what I would do if I could do all I can? sun tzu Confront them with annihilation, and they will then survive; plunge them into a deadly situation, and they will then live. When people fall into danger, they are then able to strive for victory. sun tzu For them to perceive the advantage of defeating the enemy, they must also have their rewards. sun tzu For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill. sun tzu He who is prudent, and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious. He who knows when he can fight, and when he cannot, will be victorious. sun tzu sun tzu

Hence that general is skilful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skilful in defence whose opponent does not know what to attack. sun tzu

If ignorant both of your enemy and yourself, you are certain to be in peril.

sun tzu

If our soldiers are not overburdened with money, it is not because they have a distaste for riches; if their lives are not unduly long, it is not because they are disinclined to longevity. sun tzu If you are far from the enemy, make him believe you are near. sun tzu In the practical art of war, the best thing of all is to take the enemy's country whole and intact; to shatter and destroy it is not so good. sun tzu Invincibility lies in the defence; the possibility of victory in the attack. sun tzu

It is essential to seek out enemy agents who have come to conduct espionage against you and to bribe them to serve you. Give them instructions and care for them. Thus double agents are recruited and used. sun tzu It is only the enlightened ruler and the wise general who will use the highest intelligence of the army for the purposes of spying, and thereby they achieve great results. sun tzu Now the reason the enlightened prince and the wise general conquer the enemy whenever they move, and their achievements surpass those of ordinary men, is foreknowledge. sun tzu Of all those in the army close to the commander none is more intimate than the secret agent; of all rewards none more liberal than those given to secret agents; of all matters none is more confidential than those relating to secret operations. sun tzu Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance. sun tzu

Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared. sun tzu Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look on them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death. sun tzu Secret operations are essential in war; upon them the army relies to make its every move. tzu sun

Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat. sun tzu Supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting. The enlightened ruler is heedful, and the good general full of caution. sun tzu sun tzu

The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom. sun tzu The general who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses makes but few calculations beforehand. sun tzu

The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy. sun tzu The opportunity to secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself. sun tzu The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim. sun tzu The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting. sun tzu sun tzu

Thus, what is of supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy's strategy.

To fight and conquer in all our battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting. sun tzu To see victory only when it is within the ken of the common herd is not the acme of excellence. sun tzu When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce. sun tzu If fighting is sure to result in victory, then you must fight, even though the ruler forbid it; if fighting will not result in victory, then you must not fight even at the ruler's bidding. sun tzu Where the army is, prices are high; when prices rise the wealth of the people is exhausted. tzu sun

The expert in battle seeks his victory from strategic advantage and does not demand it from his men. sun tzu Being unconquerable lies with yourself; being conquerable lies with your enemy. One defends when his strength is inadequate, he attacks when it is abundant. A leader leads by example, not by force. sun tzu If words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, the general is to blame. But if his orders are clear, and the soldiers nevertheless disobey, then it is the fault of their officers. sun tzu Bestow rewards without respect to customary practice; publish orders without respect to precedent. Thus you may employ the entire army as you would one man. sun tzu Speed is the essence of war. Take advantage of the enemy's unpreparedness; travel by unexpected routes and strike him where he has taken no precautions. sun tzu Too frequent rewards indicate that the general is at the end of his resources; too frequent punishments that he is in acute distress. sun tzu To a surrounded enemy, you must leave a way of escape. sun tzu sun tzu sun tzu

Subtle and insubstantial, the expert leaves no trace; divinely mysterious, he is inaudible. Thus he is master of his enemy's fate. sun tzu The ultimate in disposing one's troops is to be without ascertainable shape. Then the most penetrating spies cannot pry in nor can the wise lay plans against you. sun tzu The art of giving orders is not to try to rectify the minor blunders and not be swayed by petty doubts. sun tzu When torrential water tosses boulders, it is because of its momentum. When the strike of a hawk breaks the body of its prey, it is because of timing. sun tzu What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease. sun tzu It is truly regrettable that a person will treat a man who is valuable to him well, and a man who is worthless to him poorly. hojo shigetoki One should have insight into this world of dreams that passes in the twinkling of an eye. hojo shigetoki Death refuses to wait for the space of a breath; life is more evanescent than a mayfly or a lightning flash. tale heike If thou knowest only what it is to conquer, and knowest not what it is to be defeated, woe unto thee; it will fare ill with thee. tokugawa ieyasu There are seven emotions: joy, anger, anxiety, adoration, grief, fear, and hate, and if a man does not give way to these he can be called patient. tokugawa ieyasu One should not be envious of someone who has prospered by unjust deeds. Nor should he disdain someone who has fallen while adhering to the path of righteousness. imagawa sadayo Just as water will conform to the shape of the vessel that contains it, so will a man follow the good and evil of his companions. imagawa sadayo Without knowledge of learning, one will ultimately have no military victories. Beginning is easy - Continuing is hard. japanese proverb imagawa sadayo

One kind word can warm three winter months. japanese proverb The reverse side also has a reverse side. japanese proverb The stake that sticks out gets hammered down. japanese proverb If you do not enter the tiger's cave, you will not catch its cub. Even monkeys fall from trees. japanese proverb

japanese proverb

The clever hawk hides its claws. japanese proverb

It is said that the inferior seek to emulate the superior. Thus, if a general slackens only a little, those beneath him will be greatly negligent. kato kiyomasa One should not be negligent in the way of the retainer. One should rise at four in the morning, practice sword technique, eat one's meal, and train with the bow, the gun, and the horse. kato kiyomasa As for the decorum at the time of a campaign, one must be mindful that he is a samurai. A person who loves beautification where it is unnecessary is fit for punishment. kato kiyomasa If a man does not investigate into the matter of bushido daily, it will be difficult for him to die a brave and manly death. kato kiyomasa