Miyamoto Musashi quotes

Perception is strong and sight weak. In strategy it is important to see distant things as if they were close and to take a distanced view of close things. (Miyamoto Musashi)
Think lightly of yourself and think deeply of the world. View quote
Miyamoto Musashi
If you learn "indoor" techniques, you will think narrowly and forget the true Way. Thus you will have difficulty in actual encounters. View quote
Miyamoto Musashi
The primary thing when you take a sword in your hands is your intention to cut the enemy, whatever the means. Whenever you parry, hit, spring, strike or touch the enemy's cutting sword, you must cut the enemy in the same movement. It is essential to attain this. If you think only of hitting, springing, striking or touching the enemy, you will not be able actually to cut him. View quote
Miyamoto Musashi
You can abandon your own body, but never let go of your honor. View quote
Miyamoto Musashi
Respect the gods, without relying on their help. View quote
Miyamoto Musashi
Speed is not part of the true Way of strategy. Speed implies that things seem fast or slow, according to whether or not they are in rhythm. Whatever the Way, the master of strategy does not appear fast. View quote
Miyamoto Musashi
There is timing in everything. Timing in strategy cannot be mastered without a great deal of practice. View quote
Miyamoto Musashi
Step by step walk the thousand-mile road. View quote
Miyamoto Musashi
Fixed formation is bad. Study this well. View quote
Miyamoto Musashi
People in this world look at things mistakenly, and think that what they do not understand must be the void. This is not the true void. It is bewilderment. (Miyamoto Musashi)
In all forms of strategy, it is necessary to maintain the combat stance in everyday life and to make your everyday stance your combat stance. You must research this well. View quote
Miyamoto Musashi
When the fight comes, always endeavour to chase the enemy around to your left side. Chase him towards awkward places, and try to keep him with his back to awkward places. When the enemy gets into an inconvenient position, do not let him look around, but conscientiously chase him around and pin him down. In houses, chase the enemy into the thresholds, lintels, doors, verandas, pillars, and so on, again not letting him see his situation. Always chase the enemy into bad footholds, obstacles at the side, and so on, using the virtues of the place to establish predominant positions from which to fight. You must research and train diligently in this. View quote
Miyamoto Musashi
When you have come to grips and are striving together with the enemy, and you realise that you cannot advance, you "soak in" and become one with the enemy. You can win by applying a suitable technique while you are mutually entangled. In battles involving large numbers as well as in fights with small numbers, you can often win decisively with the advantage of knowing how to "soak" into the enemy, whereas, were you to draw apart, you would lose the chance to win. Research this well. View quote
Miyamoto Musashi
The five attitudes are: Upper, Middle, Lower, Right Side, and Left Side. These are the five. Although attitude has these five dimensions, the one purpose of all of them is to cut the enemy. There are none but these five attitudes. Whatever attitude you are in, do not be conscious of making the attitude; think only of cutting. View quote
Miyamoto Musashi
In large-scale strategy you can frighten the enemy not by what you present to their eyes, but by shouting, making a small force seem large, or by threatening them from the flank without warning. These things all frighten. You can win by making best use of the enemy's frightened rhythm. View quote
Miyamoto Musashi
Everything can collapse. Houses, bodies, and enemies collapse when their rhythm becomes deranged. In large-scale strategy, when the enemy starts to collapse you must pursue him without letting the chance go. If you fail to take advantage of your enemies' collapse, they may recover. View quote
Miyamoto Musashi
"To know the times" means to know the enemy's disposition in battle. Is is flourishing or waning? By observing the spirit of the enemy's men and getting the best position, you can work out the enemy's disposition and move your men accordingly. View quote
Miyamoto Musashi
It is said the warrior's is the twofold Way of pen and sword, and he should have a taste for both Ways. Even if a man has no natural ability he can be a warrior by sticking assiduously to both divisions of the Way. Generally speaking, the Way of the warrior is resolute acceptance of death. View quote
Miyamoto Musashi
Many things are said to be passed on. Sleepiness can be passed on, and yawning can be passed on. Time can be passed on also. In large-scale strategy, when the enemy is agitated and shows an inclination to rush, do not mind in the least. Make a show of complete calmness, and the enemy will be taken by this and will become relaxed. When you see that this spirit has been passed on, you can bring about the enemy's defeat by attacking strongly with a Void spirit. View quote
Miyamoto Musashi
The spirit of the smacking parry is not parrying, or smacking strongly, but smacking the enemy's long sword in accordance with his attacking cut, primarily intent on quickly cutting him. If you understand the timing of smacking, however hard your long swords clash together, your swordpoint will not be knocked back even a little. You must research sufficiently to realise this. (Miyamoto Musashi)
All things entail rising and falling timing. You must be able to discern this. View quote
Miyamoto Musashi
Study strategy over the years and achieve the spirit of the warrior. Today is victory over yourself of yesterday; tomorrow is your victory over lesser men. View quote
Miyamoto Musashi
You win battles by knowing the enemy's timing, and using a timing which the enemy does not expect. View quote
Miyamoto Musashi
Generally speaking, the Way of the warrior is resolute acceptance of death. View quote
Miyamoto Musashi