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Light matters should be dealt with seriously. Serious matters should be dealt with lightly.

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
Matter
Lightly
Dealt
Seriously
Matters
Serious
Light

More quotes by Yamamoto Tsunetomo

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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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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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Human life is truly a short affair. It is better to live doing the things that you like.
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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 being impatient, matters are damaged and great works cannot be done
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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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There is not a man who does not get senile by the time he reaches sixty. And when one thinks that he will not be senile, he is already so.
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To desire with one’s very soul every second of every day to accomplish one’s aim.
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The way of the Samurai is found in death.
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Tether even a roasted chicken.
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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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The Four Oaths: Never be late with respect to the way of the warrior be useful to the lord be respectful to your parents get beyond love and grief: exist for the good of man.
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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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When confronted with two alternatives, life and death, one is to choose death without hesitation.
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
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Continue to spur a running horse.
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
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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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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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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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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.
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Singlemindedness is all-powerful.
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