“One should not look for anything else in the Way of the Samurai. It is the same for anything that is called a Way. Therefore, it is inconsistent to hear something of the Way of Confucius or the Way of the Buddha, and say that this is 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.”

“It is known that a man may study the traditions of others only in addition to the deep knowledge of his own. But if he comes to the extensive understanding of his own tradition, he realizes that there is no need to expand his knowledge.”

“In one’s morning and evening worship, and as one goes about his day, he had best recite the name of his master. It is not a bit different from the Buddha’s names and holy words. Furthermore, one should be in harmony with his family gods. These are matters of the strength of one’s fate. Compassion is like a mother who nurtures one’s fate. Examples of the ruin of merciless warriors who were brave alone are conspicuous in both past and present.”

“To hate injustice and stand on righteousness is a difficult thing. Furthermore, to think that being is the best one can do and to do one’s utmost to be righteous, will, on the contrary, bring many mistakes. The Way is in higher place than righteousness. This is very difficult to discover, but it is the highest wisdom. When seen from this standpoint, things like righteousness are rather shallow. If one does not understand this on his own, it cannot be known.”

Yamamoto Tsunetomo Art by T. Berg

“Whatever you do should be done for the sake of your Master, Parents, the people in general, and for posterity. This is Great Compassion. The wisdom and courage that come from compassion are real wisdom and courage. When one punishes or strives with the heart of compassion, what he does will be limitless in strength and correctness. Doing something only for one’s own sake is shallow and mean and turns into evil. I understood the matters of wisdom and courage some time ago. I am just now beginning to understand the matter of compassion.”

“The one who possesses only brute force does not deserve to be called a samurai. Not to mention the necessity of studying sciences, a warrior should use his spare time to practice poetry and learn tea ceremony.”

“One must take a broad view.
It will not do to make rash judgments concerning good and evil.”

“When your mind is going hither and thither, discrimination will never be brought to a conclusion. With an intense, fresh and undelaying spirit, one will make his judgments within the space of seven breaths. It is a matter of being determined and having the spirit to break right through to the other side.”

“There is no limit to the breadth and depth of one’s heart. There is room enough for all.”

“If one manifests the determination, he can move heaven and earth as he pleases.”

“One should search throughout his whole life how to best follow the Way. And he should study, setting his mind to work without putting things off. Within this is the Way.”

“If you can understand one affair, you will understand eight.”

"But there is one transcending level, and this is the most excellent of all. At this level the person is aware of the endlessness of entering deeply into a certain Way and never thinks of himself as having finished. He truly knows his own insufficiencies and never in his whole life thinks that he has succeeded. He has no thoughts of pride but with self-abasement knows the Way to the end."

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