10 Shocking Phrases Of The Samurai

The phrases of the samurai speak of one of the most important cultures and philosophies of all time. What’s more, what really made these warriors special was not their combat prowess, but the principles and values ​​that inspired them.

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

Three of the most famous warriors, who were also the creators of many of the samurai phrases, were Yamamoto Tsunetomo, Inazo Nitobe and Miyamoto Musashi. Here we collect 10 of his most famous claims.

Samurai phrases created by Miyamoto Musashi

Many of the samurai phrases invite you to sharpen your senses and make the most of them. This, for example, goes like this: “ Observation and perception are two separate things; the eye that observes is stronger, the eye that perceives is weaker ”. It was written by Miyamoto Musashi and contrasts the differential value between looking and seeing.

This other phrase emphasizes something that Orientals insist on a lot: not to focus on the self. It says: ” Think lightly of yourself, and with depth of the world. ” It means that we should not dwell too much on these musings about ourselves and, instead, use that energy to think about the reality in which we are.

The combat is also present in many of the phrases of the samurai. It says: ” Today’s victory is over your self from yesterday, tomorrow’s will be over an inferior man. ” It means that every time we overcome some weakness or error in ourselves, we are also prepared to defeat those who have that weakness or error.

Yamamoto Tsunetomo Quotes

Yamamoto Tsunetomo is another of the figures that left many phrases of the samurai captured. In the following statement he talks about the importance of starting things with energy and strength so that vitality is maintained long enough. It says: ” If one throws without vigor, seven out of ten actions do not reach term. “

This other statement talks about the importance of difficulties. He points out that it is these and the struggle to overcome them, which gives temperance to the character. Yamamoto Tsunetomo puts it this way: ” It is good to meet difficulties in youth, because he who has never suffered, has not fully tempered his character. “

Quotes by Inazo Nitobe

More than an author, Inazo Nitobe is a great compiler of the samurai phrases. Many of these teachings have an unknown origin, but they reflect an immense lucidity. This, for example, talks about the relationship between courage and tranquility. He notes: “ The spiritual aspect of courage is evidenced by composure, calm presence of mind. Tranquility is courage in repose ”.

This other text talks about stoicism, that ability to be strong in the face of pain. To be resilient and always considerate of others. It goes like this: ” The discipline of fortitude, which on the one hand instills resistance without complaint, and on the other teaches courtesy, demanding that we not spoil the pleasure or serenity of others by expressing our own sadness or pain .”

Another statement reads as follows: ” Benevolence was considered a sovereign virtue in a double sense : sovereign among the multiple attributes of a noble and sovereign spirit because it is particularly suitable for the function of a sovereign .” In it the philosophy of the samurai is very well reflected, who never separated combat and power from goodness and spiritual values.

Bushido phrases

In the work “The Way of the Warrior” or “The Way of the Samurai” there are a lot of statements that contain a lot of wisdom. All of them invite you to face life with courage and to always keep your personal evolution in mind. This always occurs within ourselves and then is reflected outside. It is a work that teaches the art of good living.

One of the phrases in this work says: ” When giving advice, you must first discern whether the other person is willing to accept it or not. ” It is a valuable recommendation that reminds us that no one can be helped or guided if they do not want to. Or as we say it more modernly: you should not give advice to someone who is not asking for it.

Another of the phrases says: ” If you enter the unexplored path, in the end infinite secrets will appear. ” It is a beautiful way to invite not to fear the new, or the unknown. Whenever one goes into it, one ends up learning valuable lessons.

Samurai have been portrayed in film as impressively skilled warriors. They were. But, much more than that, their attitude towards life was that of those who always wanted to be better and saw in spirituality the way to achieve it.