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Having only wisdom and talent is the lowest tier of usefulness.

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
Talent
Wisdom
Tier
Usefulness
Lowest

More quotes by Yamamoto Tsunetomo

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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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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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If a warrior is not unattached to life and death, he will be of no use whatsoever. The saying that “All abilities come from one mind” sounds as though it has to do with sentient matters, but it is in fact a matter of being unattached to life and death. With such non-attachment one can accomplish any feat.
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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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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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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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A real man does not think of victory or defeat. He plunges recklessly towards an irrational death.
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It is difficult for a fool's habits to change to selflessness.
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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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Matters of small concern should be treated seriously.
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To desire with one’s very soul every second of every day to accomplish one’s aim.
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
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When someone is giving you his opinion, you should receive it with deep gratitude even though it is worthless. If you don't, he will not tell you the things that he has seen and heard about you again.
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
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When delivering something like an important letter or other written materials, grasp it firmly in your hand as you go and do not release it once, but hand it over directly to the recipient.
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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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As everything in this world is but a sham, Death is the only sincerity.
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
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Tether even a roasted chicken.
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When confronted with two alternatives, life and death, one is to choose death without hesitation.
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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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