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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.

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
Thing
Materials
Men
Duty
Proud
Contriving
Respect
Samurai
Young
Wretched
Today
Lacking
Self
Material
Heart
Hearts

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The basic meaning of etiquette is to be quick at both the beginning and end and tranquil in the middle.
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Continue to spur a running horse.
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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 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.
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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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As long as people overlook matters, then inferiors can, without any fear, lead an easy and peaceful life.
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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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Go ahead and gamble a lie. A person who will not tell you seven lies within a hundred yards is useless as a man.
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Purity is something that cannot be attained except by piling effort upon effort.
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All of man’s work is a bloody business. That fact, today, is considered foolish, affairs are finished cleverly with words alone, and jobs that require effort are avoided. I would like young men to have some understanding of this.
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A warrior is worthless unless he rises above others and stands strong in the midst of a storm.
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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.
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There is nothing we should be quite so grateful for as the last line of the poem that goes, 'When your own heart asks.
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All abilities come from one mind
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Tether even a roasted chicken.
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Having only wisdom and talent is the lowest tier of usefulness.
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Light matters should be dealt with seriously. Serious matters should be dealt with lightly.
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It is a principle of the art of war that one should simply lay down his life and strike. If one's opponent also does the same, it is a even match. Defeating one's opponent is then a matter of faith and destiny.
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