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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

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Yamamoto Tsunetomo
Age: 60 †
Born: 1659
Born: June 11
Died: 1719
Died: November 30
Bushi
Philosopher
Writer
Hizen Domain
Art
Ruin
Body
Regions
Ruins
Arts
Aids
Saying
Clan
Bring
Clans
War
Samurai

More quotes by Yamamoto Tsunetomo

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Nothing is impossible in this world. Firm determination, it is said, can move heaven and earth. Things appear far beyond one's power, because one cannot set his heart on any arduous project due to want of strong will.
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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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A warrior is worthless unless he rises above others and stands strong in the midst of a storm.
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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.
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If one is but secure at the foundation, he will not be pained by departure from minor details or affairs that are contrary to expectation. But in the end, the details of a matter are important. The right and wrong of one's way of doing things are found in trivial matters.
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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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Having only wisdom and talent is the lowest tier of usefulness.
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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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The heart of a virtuous person has settled down and he does not rush about at things. A person of little merit is not at peace but walks about making trouble and is in conflict with all.
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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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If you are slain in battle, you should be resolved to have your corpse facing the enemy.
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Bushido is realised in the presence of death. In the case of having to choose between life and death you should choose death. There is no other reasoning.
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
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Singlemindedness is all-powerful.
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
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Even if it seems certain that you will lose, retaliate. Neither wisdom nor technique has a place in this. 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.
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Continue to spur a running horse.
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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
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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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The person who practices an art is an artist, not a samurai, and one should have the intention of being called a samurai.
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By bringing shame to a person, how could one expect to make him a better man?
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When confronted with two alternatives, life and death, one is to choose death without hesitation.
Yamamoto Tsunetomo