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A warrior is worthless unless he rises above others and stands strong in the midst of a storm.

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
Stands
Storm
Unless
Strong
Samurai
Others
Rises
Worthless
Warrior
Midst

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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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A person who is discreet in speaking will be useful during the good times and will avoid punishment during the bad.
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Singlemindedness is all-powerful.
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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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Matters of small concern should be treated seriously.
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The deepest love is often hidden.
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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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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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There are few people who will make mistakes with fire after having once been burned.
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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.
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A samurai will use a toothpick even though he has not eaten. Inside the skin of a dog, outside the hide of a tiger.
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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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As long as people overlook matters, then inferiors can, without any fear, lead an easy and peaceful life.
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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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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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One should make his decisions within the space of seven breaths.
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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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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.
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