Quote

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

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Yamamoto Tsunetomo
Age: 60 †
Born: 1659
Born: June 11
Died: 1719
Died: November 30
Bushi
Philosopher
Writer
Hizen Domain
Sort
Samurai
Upon
Viewing
Use
Returning
Away
Area
Ends
Throw
Important
Areas
Tiered
Things
Flower
Trampling
Single
Underfoot

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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.
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Everyone lets the present moment slip by, then looks for it as though he thought it were somewhere else.
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This is the substance of the Way of the Samurai: if by setting one's heart right every morning and evening, one is able to live as though his body were already dead, he gains freedom in the Way. his whole life will be without blame, and he will succeed in his calling.
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There are few people who will make mistakes with fire after having once been burned.
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One must know the so-called 'lesson of a downpour. A man, caught in a sudden rain en route, dashes along the road not to get wet or drenched. Once one takes it for granted that in rain he naturally gets wet, he can be in a tranquil frame of mind even when soaked to the skin. This lesson applies to everything.
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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.
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One should make his decisions within the space of seven breaths.
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Continue to spur a running horse.
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Sincerity does not only complete the self it is the means by which all things are completed. As the self is completed, there is human-heartedness as things are completed, there is wisdom. This is the virtue of one’s character, and the Way of joining the internal and external. Thus, when we use this, everything is correct.
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Even if one's head were to be suddenly cut off, he should be able to do one more action with certainty.
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If you are slain in battle, you should be resolved to have your corpse facing the enemy.
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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. There will be nothing else to do, and nothing else to pursue. Live being true to the single purpose of the moment.
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To give a person an opinion one must first judge well whether that person is of the disposition to receive it or not.
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By bringing shame to a person, how could one expect to make him a better man?
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As long as people overlook matters, then inferiors can, without any fear, lead an easy and peaceful life.
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Light matters should be dealt with seriously. Serious matters should be dealt with lightly.
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All abilities come from one mind
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If a retainer will just think about what he is to do for the day at hand, he will be able to do anything. If it is a single day's work, one should be able to put up with it. Tomorrow, too is but a single day.
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Not to borrow the strength of another, nor to rely on one's own strength to cut off past and future thoughts, and not to live within the everyday mind... then the Great Way is right before your eyes.
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