“All my moves were designed to promote the happiness and wellbeing of my family, rather than fame.” MovingFameMy FamilyWellbeing Author:Ryan Shawcross
“I feel that I've had a happy life, not a very useful life, but a happy one.” FeelsHappy LifeUseful Life Author:Ryan Shawcross
“Getting up and criticising the other fellow because he's in and you are not seems to me a futile waste of time. Especially as you know in your heart that you would be doing more or less the same thing if you were in his place.” IfsKnowsHeartSeemsWould BeWasteFellowsWasting Time Author:Ryan Shawcross
“If a general and his men fear death and are apprehensive over possible defeat, then they will unavoidably suffer defeat and death. But if they make up their minds, from the general down to the last footsoldier, not to think of living but only of standing in one place and facing death together, then, though they may have no other thought than meeting death, they will instead hold on to life and gain victory.” IfsThinkingMenMindMayTogetherLastsSufferingVictoryGainsStandingMeetingsDefeatFear Of DeathFacing Death Author:Yoshida Shoin
“To consider oneself different from ordinary men is wrong, but it is right to hope that one will not remain like ordinary men.” MenDifferentOrdinaryOneselfOrdinary Man Author:Yoshida Shoin
“One who aspires to greatness should read and study, pursuing the True Way with such a firm resolve that he is perfectly straightforward and open, rises above the superficialities of conventional behavior, and refuses to be satisfied with the petty or commonplace.” WayShouldStudyGreatnessBehaviorRefuseSatisfiedFirmResolveConventionalAspirePettyRise AboveCommonplaceStraightforwardSuperficiality Author:Yoshida Shoin
“Once a man's will is set, he need no longer rely on others or expect anything from the world. His vision encompasses Heaven and earth, past and present, and the tranquility of his heart is undisturbed.” MenWorldNeedsHeartEarthPastHeavenVisionRelyTranquilityHeaven And EarthPast And Present Author:Yoshida Shoin
“As things stand now the feudal lords are content to look on while the shogunate carries on in a highhanded manner. Neither the lords nor the shogun can be depended upon, and so our only hope lies in grass-roots heroes.” LooksLyingLordHeroRootsGrassCarrieShoguns Author:Yoshida Shoin
“Life and death, union and separation, follow hard upon one another. Nothing is steadfast but the will, nothing endures but one's achievements. These alone count in life.” HardAchieveUnionsEndureSeparationLife And DeathSteadfast Author:Yoshida Shoin