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Miyamoto Musashi

Miyamoto Musashi Quotes

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Famous Miyamoto Musashi Quotes

“There is no one way to salvation, whatever the manner in which a man may proceed. All forms and variations are governed by the eternal intelligence of the Universe that enables a man to approach perfection. It may be in the arts of music and painting or it may be in commerce, law, or medicine. It may be in the study of war or the study of peace. Each is as important as any other. Spiritual enlightenment through religious meditation such as Zen or in any other way is as viable and functional as any "Way."... A person should study as they see fit.”

MenWayShouldMayPersonsArtImportantWarSpiritualFormLawUniverseReligiousStudyMeditationPaintingFitEternalApproachEnlightenmentPerfectionSalvationMedicineOne WayCommerceVariationSpiritual Enlightenment
Author:Miyamoto Musashi
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“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.”

IfsMenWayShouldSaidNaturalAbilityTasteShould HaveWarriorPensDivisionNatural Ability
Book:Honor: Samurai Philosophy of Life - The Essential Samurai Collection; The Book of Five Rings, Hagakure: The Way of the Samurai, Bushido: The Soul of Japan.
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“Crossing at a ford occurs often in a man's lifetime. It means setting sail even though your friends stay in harbour, knowing the route, knowing the soundness of your ship and the favour of the day.”

MenMeanWarKnowingLifetimeSettingShipsSettingsSailRoutesFavourCrossingsHarbourSoundnessSetting Sail
Book:The Book of Five Rings: A Text on Kenjutsu and the Martial Arts in General, Written by the Swordsman Miyamoto Musashi
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“The spirit of defeating a man is the same for ten million men. The strategist makes small things into big things, like building a great Buddha from a one foot model.”

MenWarBigsSpiritMillionsFeetBuildingTenModelsBig ThingsSmall ThingsStrategist
Book:Honor: Samurai Philosophy of Life - The Essential Samurai Collection; The Book of Five Rings, Hagakure: The Way of the Samurai, Bushido: The Soul of Japan.
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“Also by training you will be able to freely control your own body, conquer men with your body, and with sufficient training you will be able to beat ten men with your spirit. When you have reached this point, will it not mean that you are invincible?”

MenMeanWarBodyAbleSpiritTenBeatsTrainingYour BodyConquerSufficientInvincible
Book:Honor: Samurai Philosophy of Life - The Essential Samurai Collection; The Book of Five Rings, Hagakure: The Way of the Samurai, Bushido: The Soul of Japan.
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“As the innocent infant relies upon the mother for sustenance, so the innocent wanderer, following his native compassion and bliss, relies upon the natural intelligence of life to sustain him. There are various Ways. There is the Way of salvation by the law of Buddha, the Way of Confucius governing the Way of learning, the Way of healing as a doctor, as a poet teaching the Way of Waka, tea, archery, and many arts and skills. Each man practices as he feels inclined.”

MenWayLifeFeelsArtLawMotherNaturalHealingCompassionPracticeTeachingPoetSkillsDoctorsSalvationVariousFollowingInnocentTeaBlissRelyNativeInfantGoverningSustenanceWanderersRely UponArcheryNatural Intelligence
Author:Miyamoto Musashi
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“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.”

MenMindSeemsMovingForceGrowthCommonEventsPerspectiveShapesHappeningsAll ThingsFoundationThings HappenEnterpriseTallStrongestBroadsAspireInsignificantEarthquakesLoftyCommon ManSolid Foundation
Author:Miyamoto Musashi
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