Yamamoto Tsunetomo quotes - page 2

A person who knows but a little will put on an air of knowledge. This is a matter of inexperience. When someone knows something well, it will not be seen in his manner. (Yamamoto Tsunetomo)
By bringing shame to a person, how could one expect to make him a better man? View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
The supreme style of love is unknown love. If the affection is known by the beloved, that love is snob. If you sacrifice your life for the beloved, and she recognises your love after you die, your soul would be appraised. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
The way of revenge lies in simply forcing one's way into a place and being cut down. There is no shame in this. By thinking that you must complete the job you will run out of time. By considering things like how many men the enemy has, time piles up; in the end you will give up. No matter if the enemy has thousands of men, there is fulfillment in simply standing them off and being determined to cut them all down, starting from one end. You will finish the greater part of it. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
The eleven volumes of this book are to be burned after they are read. There are some people in this book who are still alive and this book may anger them, so make sure the book is burned. Tsunetomo said this repeatedly. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
A faultless person is one who withdraws from affairs. This must be done with strength. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
According to their nature, there are both people who have quick intelligence, and those who must withdraw and take time to think things over. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
In carefully scrutinizing the affairs of the past, we find that there are many different opinions about them, and that there are some things that are quite unclear. It is better to regard such things as unknowable. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
Feeling deeply the difference between oneself and others, bearing ill will and falling out with people - these things come from a heart that lacks compassion. If one wraps up everything with a heart of compassion, there will be no coming into conflict with people. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
There are two things that will blemish a retainer, and these are riches and honor. If one but remains in strained circumstances, he will not be marred. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
It is natural that one cannot understand deep and hidden things. Those things that are easily understood are rather shallow. (Yamamoto Tsunetomo)
When discussing things with someone, it is best to speak appropriately about whatever the subject may be. No matter how good what you are saying might be, it will dampen the conversation if it is irrelevant. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
There is a saying that great genius matures late. If something is not brought to fruition over a period of twenty to thirty years, it will not be of great merit. When a retainer is of a mind to do his work hurriedly, he will intrude upon the work of others and will be said to be young but able. He will become over-enthusiastic and will be considered rather rude. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
If everyone were in accord and left things to Providence, their hearts would be at ease. If they are not in accord, though they would do acts of righteousness, they lack loyalty. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
To talk about other people's affairs is a great mistake. To praise them, too, is unfttting. In any event, it is best to know your own ability well, to put forth effort in your endeavors, and to be discreet in speech. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
It is a good viewpoint to see the world as a dream. When you have something like a nightmare, you will wake up and tell yourself that it was only a dream. It is said that the world we live in is not a bit different from this. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
People will become your enemies if you become eminent too quickly in life, and you will be ineffectual. Rising slowly in the world, people will be your allies and your happiness will be assured. In the long run, whether you are fast or slow, as long as you have people's understanding there will be no danger. It is said that fortune that is urged upon you from others is the most effective. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
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. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
If one thinks only of winning, a sordid victory will be worse than a defeat. For the most part, it becomes a squalid defeat. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
To hate injustice and stand on righteousness is a difficult thing. Furthermore, to think that being righteous is the best one can do and to do one's utmost to be righteous will, on the contrary, bring many mistakes. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
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. (Yamamoto Tsunetomo)
One's appearance bespeaks dignity corresponding to the depth of his character. One's concentrated effort, serene attitude, taciturn air, courteous disposition, thoroughly polite bearing, gritted teeth with a piercing look - each of these reveals dignity. Such outward appearance, in short, comes from constant attentiveness and seriousness. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
Death seems to be a long way off. Is this not shallow thinking? It is worthless and is only a joke within a dream. It will not do to think in such a way and be negligent. Insofar as death is always at one's door, one should make sufficient effort and act quickly. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
Human life is truly a short affair. It is better to live doing the things that you like. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
This is not a matter of being careful. It is to consider oneself as dead beforehand. View quote
Yamamoto Tsunetomo