Quote

Singlemindedness is all-powerful.

Yamamoto Tsunetomo

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Yamamoto Tsunetomo
Age: 60 †
Born: 1659
Born: June 11
Died: 1719
Died: November 30
Bushi
Philosopher
Writer
Hizen Domain
Powerful

More quotes by Yamamoto Tsunetomo

Image
The basic meaning of etiquette is to be quick at both the beginning and end and tranquil in the middle.
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
Image
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
Image
Light matters should be dealt with seriously. Serious matters should be dealt with lightly.
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
Image
A warrior is worthless unless he rises above others and stands strong in the midst of a storm.
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
Image
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
Image
The way of the Samurai is found in death.
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
Image
If you are slain in battle, you should be resolved to have your corpse facing the enemy.
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
Image
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
Image
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
Image
It is a wretched thing that the young men of today are so contriving and so proud of their material posessions. Men with contriving hearts are lacking in duty. Lacking in duty, they will have no self-respect.
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
Image
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
Image
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
Image
As everything in this world is but a sham, Death is the only sincerity.
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
Image
Matters of small concern should be treated seriously.
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
Image
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
Image
When one is writing a letter, he should think that the recipient will make it into a hanging scroll.
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
Image
There are few people who will make mistakes with fire after having once been burned.
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
Image
Having only wisdom and talent is the lowest tier of usefulness.
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
Image
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
Image
I have found that the Way of the samurai is death. This means that when you are compelled to choose between life and death, you must quickly choose death.
Yamamoto Tsunetomo