10 Notable Sayings Of The Samurai

The sayings of the samurai are about one of the most important cultures and philosophies of all time. In fact, what really made these warriors special was not their combat capabilities, but the principles and values ​​that inspired them.

Some of the great fighters were also great thinkers and writers. They managed to map the most important aspects of their worldview. It is in this way that today we have access to expressions of the samurai that reveal their immense wisdom.

Three of the most famous warriors, who were also responsible for many of the samurai’s sayings, were:

• Yamamoto Tsunetomo
• Inazo Nitobe
• Miyamoto Musashi

Below are 10 of their most famous sayings.

Sayings  of the Samurai by Miyamoto Musashi

Many of the samurai sayings invite you to sharpen your senses and make the most of them. For example, it reads as follows:

“ Observation and perception  are two separate things; the eye that observes is stronger, that which is perceived is weaker. ”

Written by Miyamoto Musashi, it contrasts the differential value between looking and seeing.

This other statement emphasizes something that they strongly urge in the East: Not focusing on yourself. He says:

“ Think  lightly of yourself and deeply of the world.”

It means that we should not dwell too much on those speculations about ourselves and instead use that energy to reflect on the reality we find ourselves in.

The fight is also present in many of the samurai’s sayings. For example in this statement:

“ Today’s  victory  is over yesterday’s self, tomorrow’s victory over an inferior man. ”

It means that every time we overcome a weakness or error in ourselves, we are also willing to overcome others who have a weakness or error.

Phrases from Yamamoto Tsunetomo

Yamamoto Tsunetomo is one of the figures who left many samurai sayings. In the following statement, he speaks of the importance of things starting with energy and strength so that vitality is sufficient. He says:

“ If you throw without power, seven out of ten actions will fail.”

The next statement is about the importance of difficulties. He points out that difficulties and the struggle you face to overcome them is what gives you character. Yamamoto Tsunetomo puts it this way:

“ It is good to encounter difficulties in youth, for he who has never suffered has not fully developed his character. ”

Sentences of Inazo Nitobe

More than an author, Inazo Nitobe was a great compiler of samurai sayings. Many of these statements have unknown origins, but show immense clarity. This concerns, for example, the relationship between courage and tranquility. He points out:

“ The spiritual aspect of courage is evidenced by calmness, the serene presence of the mind. Rest is courage in rest. ”

This text speaks of stoicism. This is the ability to be strong when one is in pain. 

“ The discipline of strength, on the one hand, generates resistance without complaint. And second, it teaches politeness. This requires that one does not spoil the pleasure or peace of another by expressing our own sorrow or pain.”

Yet another statement goes like this:

” Charity was considered in two respects as a sovereign virtue . Sovereign under the manifold attributes of a noble and sovereign spirit to be particularly suited to the function of a sovereign virtue.” 

In it, the philosophy of the samurai, who never separated the struggle and the power of goodness and spiritual values, is very well reflected.

Sayings of Bushido

In the work  ‘The Way of the Warrior’  or   ‘The Way of the Samurai’ there are many sayings that contain enormous wisdom. All invite us to face life with courage. And to always keep the personal evolution in mind. This always happens within ourselves and is then reflected on the outside. They are works that summarize the art of living well.

One of the quotes from this work says:

“When giving advice, you must first discern whether the other person is willing to accept it.” 

It is a valuable recommendation that reminds us that no one can be helped if they do not want to. Or as we say in a more modern way, “Don’t give advice to those who don’t ask for it.”

Another statement says:

“ If you go into the unexplored path, infinite secrets will eventually appear.”

It is a beautiful way of inviting us not to be afraid of the new or the unknown. When you succeed, you learn valuable lessons.

The samurai are portrayed in movies as impressive, skilled warriors. They were. But they were much more than that. Their attitude to life was to always want to be better. They saw in spirituality the way to achieve it.