Philosopher

 

From 1584 to 1645, Miyamoto Musashi was a Ronin in Japan. He was one of history's most famous swordsmen, with a 61-0 dueling record.

Musashi was not just a skilled swordsman, but also a writer and philosopher. His book, The Book of Five Rings, is still produced and read today, and it is full with excellent quotations for everyday living.

Musashi's philosophy emphasizes self-sufficiency, inner serenity, acceptance, and discipline. His work is read all around the world to help individuals acquire mental strength and the traits required for a happy and resilient existence.

MIYAMOTO MUSASHI QUOTES:

“There is nothing outside of yourself that can ever enable you to get better, stronger, richer, quicker, or smarter. Everything is within. Everything exists. Seek nothing outside of yourself.”

“Truth is not what you want it to be; it is what it is. And you must bend to its power or live a lie.”

“Aspire to be like Mt. Fuji, with such a broad and solid foundation that the strongest earthquake cannot move you, and so tall that the greatest enterprises of common men seem insignificant from your lofty perspective. With your mind as high as Mt Fuji you can see all things clearly. And you can see all the forces that shape events; not just the things happening near to you.”

“You must understand that there is more than one path to the top of the mountain”

“It is difficult to understand the universe if you only study one planet”

“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.”

“The true science of martial arts means practising them in such a way that they will be useful at any time, and to teach them in such a way that they will be useful in all things.”

“Both in fighting and in everyday life you should be determined though calm. Meet the situation without tenseness yet not recklessly, your spirit settled yet unbiased. Even when your spirit is calm do not let your body relax, and when your body is relaxed do not let your spirit slacken. Do not let your spirit be influenced by your body, or your body be influenced by your spirit.”

“A man cannot understand the art he is studying if he only looks for the end result without taking the time to delve deeply into the reasoning of the study.”

“Do nothing which is of no use.”

“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.”

“Generally speaking, the Way of the warrior is resolute acceptance of death.”

“Perceive that which cannot be seen with the eye.”

“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.”