Miyamoto Musashi, a legendary Japanese swordsman, strategist, and writer, lived from 1584 to 1645. His fame was not merely due to his unmatched skill with the sword, but also for his profound wisdom and understanding of strategy, both in martial arts and life. Musashi’s “The Book of Five Rings” remains a classic, offering deep insights into combat and life strategy. His teachings not only guide martial artists but also resonate with individuals from various backgrounds seeking wisdom in their own lives.
Here are best 50 enlightening quotes from Miyamoto Musashi:
- “You must understand that there is more than one path to the top of the mountain.”
- “Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Seek what they sought.”
- “The true science of martial arts means practicing them in such a way that they will be useful at any time, and to teach them in such a way that they will be useful in all things.”
- “There is nothing outside of yourself that can ever enable you to get better, stronger, richer, quicker, or smarter. Everything is within. Everything exists. Seek nothing outside of yourself.”
- “Perceive that which cannot be seen with the eye.”
- “You can only fight the way you practice.”
- “Today is victory over yourself of yesterday; tomorrow is your victory over lesser men.”
- “In strategy it is important to see distant things as if they were close and to take a distanced view of close things.”
- “The way of the warrior is resolute acceptance of death.”
- “Do nothing that is of no use.”
READ MORE: The Legendary Katana of Miyamoto Musashi: A Story of Skill and Spirit - “To become the enemy, see yourself as the enemy of the enemy.”
- “If you wish to control others you must first control yourself.”
- “Do not regret what you have done.”
- “With your spirit settled, accumulate practice day by day, and hour by hour.”
- “The ultimate aim of martial arts is not having to use them.”
- “When you decide to attack, keep calm and dash in quickly, forestalling the enemy…attack with a feeling of constantly crushing the enemy, from first to last.”
- “It is difficult to understand the universe if you only study one planet.”
- “Know the smallest things and the biggest things, the shallowest things and the deepest things.”
- “All man are the same except for their belief in their own selves, regardless of what others may think of them.”
- “There is timing in the whole life of the warrior, in his thriving and declining, in his harmony and discord.”
READ MORE: Miyamoto Musashi’s Sword Style: Mastery Through Niten Ichi-ryu - “You win battles by knowing the enemy’s timing and using a timing which the enemy does not expect.”
- “From one thing, know ten thousand things.”
- “The important thing in strategy is to suppress the enemy’s useful actions but allow his useless actions.”
- “In all forms of strategy, it is necessary to maintain the combat stance in everyday life and to make your everyday stance your combat stance.”
- “You should not have a favorite weapon.”
- “It is necessary to know that to die with one’s sword still sheathed is most regrettable.”
- “If you do not control the enemy, the enemy will control you.”
- “No matter how you are attacked, if you keep your spirit and stance right, the enemy will surely be defeated.”
- “If you do not look at things on a large scale it will be difficult for you to master strategy.”
- “The only reason a warrior is alive is to fight, and the only reason a warrior fights is to win.”
READ MORE: Miyamoto Musashi’s Real Sword: The Blade of a Legend - “In battle, if you make your opponent flinch, you have already won.”
- “When you have mastered the way of strategy, you can suddenly make your body into a sword, and strike the enemy at will.”
- “Adopt a stance with the head erect, neither hanging down, nor looking up, nor twisted.”
- “When your opponent is hurrying recklessly, you must act contrarily and keep calm. You must not be influenced by the opponent.”
- “Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world.”
- “The true science of the martial ways is the mirror of the mind and a gate to the world.”
- “You should not copy others, but use weapons which you can handle properly.”
- “You should step straight forward and strike the enemy any way you can.”
- “If you wish to know the truth then hold no opinions for or against anything.”
- “Respect Buddha and the gods without counting on their help.”
READ MORE: Miyamoto Musashi’s 21 Principles and Rules Explained: A Guide to Life and Strategy - “When you sacrifice your life, you must make fullest use of your weaponry.”
- “In single combat, we can confuse the enemy by attacking with varied techniques when the chance arises.”
- “Do not let your spirit be influenced by your body, or your body be influenced by your spirit.”
- “Become one with the universe and go beyond all forms of rational thought.”
- “The true warrior’s duty is to brandish his spirit and his sword in the service of good.”
- “The ultimate aim of the art of the warrior is to build peace and serenity.”
- “Whenever you parry, hit, spring, strike or touch the enemy’s cutting sword, you must cut the enemy in the same movement. It is essential to attain this. If you think only of hitting, springing, striking or touching the enemy, you will not be able actually to cut him.”
- “Do not let the spirit be used by the body; use the body as a tool of the spirit.”
- “Strategy is the craft of the warrior.”
- “A warrior is worthless unless he rises above others and stands strong in the midst of a storm.”
READ MORE: Miyamoto Musashi’s Grave: The Final Resting Place of the Legendary Swordsman
These profound statements encapsulate Miyamoto Musashi’s philosophies on life, strategy, and martial arts. His timeless wisdom offers guidance and perspective for anyone seeking to better understand themselves and the world around them. Whether you are a martial artist, a strategist, or just someone on a personal journey, Musashi’s teachings hold invaluable lessons for us all.
