Top 135 Quotes & Sayings by Miyamoto Musashi - Page 3

The warrior is different in that studying the Way of strategy is based on overcoming men

If there is a Way involving the spirit of not being defeated, to help oneself and gain honour, it is the Way of Strategy.

If you want to learn the craft of war, ponder over this book. The teacher is as a needle, the disciple is as thread. You must practice constantly.

Immature strategy is the cause of grief.

Always return your weapon along the same path it traveled out on. In this way you can use it again without having to relocate and rethink our attitude.

Fourthly, the way of the artisan. The way of the carpenter is to become proficient in the use of his tools, first to lay his plans with true measure and then perform his work according to plan. Thus he passes through life.

Respect the gods and buddhas, but never rely on them.

The halberd is inferior to the spear on the battlefield. With the spear you can take the initiative, the halberd is defensive.

Second is the way of the merchant. The wine maker obtains his ingredients and puts them to use to make his living. The way of the merchant is always to live by taking profit.

Thirdly, the gentleman warrior, carrying the weaponry of his way. The way of the warrior is to master the virtue of his weapons. If a gentleman dislikes strategy he will not appreciate the benefit of weaponry, so must he not have a little taste for this?

The bow is tactically strong at the commencement of battle, especially battles on a moor, as it is possible to shoot quickly among the spearmen.

They speak of "This Dojo" and "That Dojo". They are looking for profit.

Never depart from the way of martial arts.

I dreamt of worldly success once.

When you attack the enemy, your spirit must go to the extent of pulling the stakes out of a wall and using them as spears and halberds.